Au Naturale- Update!

During Lent last year, I began to experiment with more natural beauty and food products.  I shared my hygiene edition and nutrition information last spring.  I thought I'd update on what has and hasn't worked since my last posts on the subject!


WHAT WORKED:

1. FACE: Regular soap has not touched my face since Lent!  If I don't have easy access to Dr. Bronner's baby mild soap, then I just use a wash cloth and water.  A dab of coconut oil works as an excellent moisturizer.  This has been SO great for my face!  I love it!
2. SUN CARE: I used the Johnson&Johnson baby daily face and body and didn't get a single sunburn this year.  First time EVER!  
3. SHAMPOO: I rarely use shampoo- only if I 'm feeling like a good lather.  Instead I use baking soda and it works awesome!  I wash my hair every other day and love it!  I use conditioner now instead of apple cider vinegar.  
4. DEODORANT:  Yep.  I stuck with my homemade deodorant!  I spread a dash of coconut oil on my arms, then use a cotton ball to apply a mixture of 1 part baking soda and 3 parts corn starch.  It works great!  The day Gianna was released from the hospital was the first time in seven months that I wore commercial deodorant.  It was a highly emotional day and I didnt' want to take any chances!  It made me laugh that I made it through a hot coastal summer, but for that I wore deodorant!!!  :)
5. FOR LADIES ONLY: I have loved my reusable feminine product.  I did discover a latex allergy and had to switch to the silicone type, but overall love it.  I won't go back!  Email me for more info!

WHAT DIDN'T WORK:

1. LOTION: I'm still not using soap for my body, but did go back to lotion instead of coconut oil.  I couldn't get enough coconut oil to keep my skin soft.
2. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: This was recommended to me as a conditioner, but it didn't work with my hair; it got very dry.  I'm back to regular conditioner.  

And one more...COD LIVER OIL!  
After I began to take cod liver oil, I read that a large dose can heal cavities. I had just been diagnosed with a cavity and decided to put off treatment to see if the cod liver oil could work.  It didn't.  :(  A few weeks ago I went to the dentist.  I still had the cavity, but it was SO small that they didn't even numb me for the filling.  


Did you read that?  THEY DIDN'T USE NOVOCAIN.  


I was on pins and needles, just waiting for them to hit a nerve, but all was well!  It really was that small!  AND for the first time in a decade, I didn't have any new cavities.  I greatly attribute this to the cod liver oil and cutting back on sugar.  The other huge benefit to cod liver oil, is that it has cleared up my skin!  (I also attribute this to my new washing routine.)  It makes sense, though.  Cod liver oil is very high in vitamin A, as are acne-fighting drugs such as Retin-A and accutane.  We will definitely continue taking our daily dose of cod liver oil!  


Oh- and I used to put Abigail's in her bottle, but now that she is off the bottle I give it to her on a spoon.  THE GIRL ASKS FOR MORE each time!!!   She wants to lick the spoon clean!  It is crazy!!!  I'm so glad she takes it willingly!!