Back to Nature

The last few days I've not felt well at all. Today, I've decided to just drink juiced fruits and vegetables. It seems that when I'm not feeling my best it's then, instead of before that I get serious about chucking overly processed foods and get back to wholesome ones. I'm really loving the carrot and apple juice I am sipping! I don't want to throw away the dry pulp that was strained out, so I'm thinking about some healthy baked gluten-free crackers, biscuits, or muffins...

One of the things I really like about making my own soaps is that they are also part of turning back to nature. Manufactured hand soaps, especially, have gotten so far away from anything you'd really want to put on your body if you took the time to look at the ingredients or researched to see what the chemicals did to your skin! The big thing seems to be antibacterial everything! Lets prevent super-bug infections from getting us! AAaaaahhhhhh! Lets put antibiotics in mouthwash, face wash, hand soaps, deodorants, lotions, sprays, household cleaners, ....!

Our bodies are so marvelously made! When it's healthy and supported with things that lead to a good immune system such as proper rest, nutritious food, sunlight, temperance, spirituality, clean water, fresh air, and exercise, it can fight off infections, viruses, and illnesses on its own. 

Sometimes, in our zeal to step in and make things even better, we block the bodies self defense systems already in place. There are good places for disinfectants, antibiotics, sterilization, personal protective equipment, and such like, but soap manufacturers have gone way overboard putting antibiotics in soaps and household cleaners!

One antibiotic in particular, Triclosan, an active ingredient in many antibacterial products, has proven to be a double edged sword. After continued use of products that contain Triclosan, the bacteria is disabled, but eventually develops a resistance to it. There are other adverse reactions Triclosan has, such as when it is exposed to chlorinated water, producing chloroform, a possible carcinogen. When exposed to sunlight, it forms dioxins, known to disrupt endocrine glands. Knowing this, do we still want to rub it all over our hands, hoping to kill all the nasty germs? The trade-off just isn't worth it! It's much better to wash your hands properly with natural soap and water the old-fashioned way!

It isn't a good idea to strip your hands of all bacteria, anyway. Doing so also strips your skin of the protective, natural flora and good bacteria that are needed to protect you from a nasty infection if there is a break in the skin. 

So, its back to nature! Too much of a 'good' thing might not be good at all. The natural soaps which are made with just plain and simple, wholesome ingredients like olive oil, lard, coconut oil, palm oil, and such, mixed with dissolved lye makes a very fine, natural soap that will not destroy your skins natural flora. It will, however, help wash all the bad germs down the drain and nourish you skin!

An old Irish blessing for you ~

May you have love that never ends,

Lots of money, and lots of friends
Health be yours, whatever you do
And may God send many blessings to you!