Coconut Milk: The Body Cleanser

I've neglected a lot of things after starting a new job last year...like making jewelry, creating new recipes, remembering birthdays, remembering my name.... and this blog. 

The changing of my usuals left ripples, pushing many things to the breaking point. Most were washed away while others sank to the bottom. 

So we find something little that we can take power over...like toiletries. 

I stopped using shampoo and conditioner about a year ago. For the first time in my adult life my hair isn't dry, but soft and healthy. Once my scalps natural oils could get back to doing what it does naturally without shampoo stripping it away, everything normalized. I do an occasional apple cider vinegar rinse or baking soda scalp scrub but for the day to day...I just rinse it in the shower and pour a little bit of coconut milk on my head. 

You have to play with the water to coconut milk ratio. Not enough water will add more oil to your hair. Depending on the dryness and type of hair (short, fine, long, curly etc) you may need less or more coconut milk. I have long fine straight blonde hair but I have a lot of it. One tablespoon of coconut milk in a 8 oz glass poured on my head is enough. If I use more, I require some baking soda on my scalp or its too oily for my preference. 

Which leads me to the point of this entry....coconut milk. 

The Topical Benefits: Rich in vitamins A & C both very beneficial to skin, calcium and natural proteins for smooth skin, a natural detangler for your hair, fatty acids to treat irritated skin, eczema and dermatitis and aids in hair growth. 

The smell alone is enough to try it. The price...under $1 a can. A little goes a long way. I go through maybe a can every 10 days and keep it in the fridge after I open it. I started pouring it on me in the shower as a body cleanser, it makes me feel exotic, like I still live on a tropical island ( I gave up using soap in the shower too). If I had a tub, I'd bath in it. It leaves you skin soft and moisturized with no need for lotion. And unlike coconut oil, which I also love, it fully aborbs with no oily feel. You won't be able to stop smelling your arms. 

I now bathe my dogs in it. I'm a firm believer that you shouldn't bathe your dogs in anything that isn't edible. Dogs lick everything you put on them, so why on earth would you use toxic chemicals on their skin and hair!?!? Mine HATE baths but they LOVE coconut milk. They start licking their lips as soon as I open the can. It makes them smell good, conditions their hair and moisturizes their skin.  

Patrick half asleep watching me blog. The cuteness.

Ready to dye

I had two dresses and a top mixed in with my scrap fabric. I saved them because I liked the fit and style...but the colors...not so much. Today I decided to dye them.

Rit liquid dye ($3.79) in Teal (my favorite color lately) a container of salt ($0.42) rubber gloves ($2.49) and I was ready to dye.
The baby pink dress was first. I had bought it new at the Gap in 2007 and had worn it maybe 3 times since then. It was super soft, delicate and I didn't hate the Ballerina pink per say, but it was see through and needed a full slip. If a slip is required, generally the garment stays hanging in my closet.

I followed the stove top instructions for 100% cotton. I added half the bottle of dye, and one cup of salt to the pot of nearly boiling water. I stirred the garment for roughly 30 minutes. I rinsed it in cool water til it ran clear then added a little more dye and soaked only the bottom of the dress for another 30 minutes.

I wasn't going to waste a pot full of dye so I started the next item. A light blue dress from Forever 21, 100% rayon I believe. It was even older than the pink dress. It was too big for me so I sewed the straps first. It also had some stains and discoloration. I wanted it to stay a light color and only soaked it for 15-20 minutes then rinsed it in cool water. I wasn't sure what the trim was made of but it absorbed the dye quite well.

The third item was a lace top hand me down from my sister. I actually liked the color but on my fair skin it gave off the look of jaundice. Not a look that most women want. I had no idea what the fabric was so I added vinegar to the pot just in case. After the first 15 minutes nothing was happening...still mustard, but after 30 minutes it looked like it was starting to change color. Being that it was originally in the yellow family, the end color was a dark green.

Honey & Lemon = Softer & Lighter Hair

 I’m starting out year 3 of my quest to be less chemical. The most recent quest…hair.

I am a girly girl. I crave fashion, makeup and ever changing hair…or at least I did. In my 20’s there was a hair color change every month or so…I didn’t think about all my hair falling out or the constant chemical bombardment to my scalp and lungs. Weaning myself off the box wasn’t easy. I could have quit cold turkey, alas the silver slowly sneaking into my dark blonde hair was not very…well…pretty.  I discovered what the term “mousey” meant when I looked at my reflection. I tried the less chemical options and the natural ones from the health food store. But they still dried the crap out of my hair and scalp. By winter itchy dry scalp was out of control and I started applying Organic Virgin Coconut oil as a scalp and hair mask every 4 days or so. My hair started feeling thinker and shinier…hmmm.

Consulting the all knowing internet I searched for natural ways to highlight my hair or blend the now darker roots to the lighter color of my long hair. Lemon juice was the first experiment. Sure it works great in the summertime…but the overcast skies of winter…not so much. Plus it made my hair feel like straw. It needed moisture, not just highlights. Next concoction…Honey, Cinnamon and lemon juice.

I squeezed one fresh lemon, 2 spoonfuls of raw wildflower honey and a sprinkling of

Cinnamon. It smelled awesome, tasted great…..and eureka…it lightened my hair.

I mix it together in a bowl and brush it on my hair with a medium size paintbrush. I leave it on for an hour while I give myself a manicure. I wash it out with gentle natural shampoo and a tad conditioner on the ends. Shampoo isnt always needed but I'm a creature of habit. 

It wasn’t drastic. But it was noticeably shiny, lighter and softer than my hair has ever been. By the 4^th application on week 2, it was one shade lighter. Raw Honey and Cinnamon have a hydrogen peroxide in them. Honey is also a moisturizer, and the honey and cinnamon are both antibacterial. This concoction eliminated my dandruff…not a flake, not a dry patch to be found. Frizz gone, dandruff gone, shiny hair, less obvious roots…what more could I ask for? Would it do the same for my skin?

I started brushing the mixture on my face, neck and upper chest as well when I did my hair. Hello! Sun spots, freckles, acne scars…all slowing fading with every application. The honey makes it baby smooth. I apply a few drops of Borage oil as an additional moisturizer for my cheeks which is also an anti-inflammatory, and keeps my sensitive skin calm. 

I’ve now done this for a month (about 3 times a week) and dry itchy scalp has not returned. My hair remains very soft and shiny despite winter (and my) attempt to destroy it. 

Gluten Free Nachos and Hawaiian Pizza

I'm Gluten Free. For years I was really good about it, then I started slipping here and there...Pancakes on special occasions, Italian restaurants on my birthday. I justified it thinking a little was okay...everything in moderation right? But when something actually hurts your body, no amount is okay. I started getting sick. I became intolerant and allergic to foods that had never bothered me before like dairy and nuts like peanuts and cashews. My tummy was consistently upset. My intestines were furious at me for injuring them. I had to go cold turkey again. After a year...a very hard and frustrating year, I now know just how careful I have to be. And no food is worth feeling the way I did. I can now tolerant dairy again...as long as I don't have it for breakfast, lunch and dinner that is. =)

I make most of my food at home...and here are two of my favorites when I really want something yummy and filling. I love Avocado so both of these recipes have it but taste good without also.

Sarahs Super Nachos

I started making Nachos with Kettle wrinkle potato chips about 5 years ago and I don't think I've had corn tortillas chips since.

Kettle Potato chips, the ridges NOT the thins, either in sea salt or salt and pepper (once again, not the thin ones, they get soggy)
Sweet Corn, plain or mixed with a little Curry if you are adventurous
Black Beans
Cheese of Choice, I go with Mozzarella
Bake in the oven until cheese is slightly golden on the edges
Then Add..
Avocado slices
Sour Cream 

It's addicting...I think my ass is two sizes bigger because of it. =)




GF Hawaiian Pizza

WHole Foods GF pizza crust (found in the freezer section and comes in a two pack, better than ANY restaurant GF crust I've tried.)
Trader Joe's Arrabiata Sauce (best red sauce in the world, and Gluten Free)
Mozzarella Cheese
Pineapple Slices
Pepperoni

Bake at 350 then raise to 375 for a few minutes to brown the pineapple a little
After its baked, add sliced avocado. YUM!!