All the young ones are out! It's Friday night!

All the old ones are putting on stretchy pants and cuddling in their couch with a date or cat. Who's with me?!

I'll be at home tonight with two meowing carpets interrupting my movie.  Husband is out of town.  Although he will be missed greatly and certainly not taken for granted, this is the perfect time to catch up with everything I should've done while he was gone the first half of the week, or just to have some quiet time without having to feed his voracious appetite every two hours.  I choose for a bit of both.  I just about killed myself with a gluten-free brownie, via Bonefish Grill.  The taste: so worth it.  The five-finger-death-punch: not worth it.  Won't be doing that again (ask me again after another stressful work week).  I'm currently remedying the situation with celery juice, a successful new tradition in my home.  This tonic has saved a little piece of my comedic life.

Tonight I will do my usual Classical Stretch since I've been surprisingly more flexible and agile lately.  I daren't expound on it for fear that this feel-good is a fluke or just the wonders of not having to sustain pain at work for 8 hours tomorrow.  But I will also push a small boundary.  Small and careful, for I'm known to break my own records and then break my fragile bones.

I'm will face off with the elliptical.  A frenemy that I haven't confronted for months.  Fifteen minutes. Level One. Versus my ex-45 minutes, level 8, interval climb.  The second I feel my ankles or knees complain, I'm down. Off. Try again at another time.  I'll keep you updated on how that turns out.  It may be that I'm not ready to exert anything and I'm just mentally in a good, but deceptive, place.

Okay! New items I've tried:

Giovanni 50/50 Clarifying Shampoo and Conditioner

Amazing-a! Although not as organic as Kiss My Face Everyday Shampoo.  Still safe.  This one suds up yummily.  Nice and slimy.  A little product goes a long way.  I can tell the healing of damaged hair is not immediate, but its long lasting.  My hair is already thicker.  Husband couldn't believe I hadn't blow dried my hair on the first try.  Free of sulfates and all that other crap that destroys hair.  No parabens, existing in most average shampoos that are known as carcinogenic and estrogenic.  So if you want to keep your colored hair looking hued much longer, these are great. Click for the inexpensive link of $4.43 each.  I, the idiot, paid $8.99 for each at Whole Foods. You raped me, WF!

Alba Moisturizing Cream Shave - Unscented

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I have always used sensitive skin foaming shaving gels and still would get nicks and dry ucky skin.  Fail!  This shave cream was divine.  Unscented was a plus for my recently angry skin.  I've been getting hives from who knows what allergy.  This left me all silky and touchable and desirable....ask the cats.  5 stars. Again, buy at Vitacost, my dears. WF didn't accost me this time, but Nutrition S'mart mishandled me in Tampa.  I spent $5.... $3.75 online.  What I spend on gas, I would have saved on time and energy for shipping.

Kiss My Face Summer Liquid Rock

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="60" caption="Kiss My Face Summer Liquid Rock Deodorant"][/caption]

Three thumbs down. I don't know what came over me, but I didn't read the label cautiously as I threw it in the cart.  Still cheaper at Vitacost, but somehow I missed the part about it being a roll-on.  I saw "liquid rock" and assumed it was a stick.  I didn't even know they still made those wet, sloppy rolly-bally majiggers because in my mind, why would consumers keep demanding such a product?  Ugh.  Unless you're into that slap noise a damp armpit makes, don't try it. At least it smells great, cause now I have to give it use.  No giving away THAT personal a toiletry.  Next time, I will get the STICK, which was what I was suggested by a friend.  No parabens or aluminum, so you don't get cancer in one of the embarrassing body parts.  Also, this is a major lymph node site.  I know because during the initial stages of detox, this is the first location where I experienced the pain of toxins clearing out.  Very strange place to have issues.

Namaste Foods Vanilla Cake Mix - Allergen Free

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Worth the risk for cake, but a disappointing outcome.  Completely allergen free was the selling point! No histamine ingredients.  Not even potatoes which is my personal foe.  (I'll explain the potato thing in the near future). Costs about the same at Vitacost compared to both other two health food stores around here.  It might have turned out better if I had made a different cake. I'm not sure.  But it had a bit of a butt taste.  A soapy butt.  The baking soda was too prevalent and I had to drown out the funk with pineapple and ice cream.  I even had a whole spunky entry ready for you guys called Down in the Dump Cake featuring a jolly mix of happy cake recipe and depression straight-talk; with fabulous step-by-step pictures and all.  But it doesn't matter because I burnt the pecans and didn't put the memory card in the camera.  Great blogger am I!

Namaste has a great line of flours and mixes for all kinds of baked goods. Anyway, I have some left over and I might try one last experiment with it.  It may not be as great as butter and all-purpose wheat flour.  But butt cake is better than no cake.  I can't believe it's come to that.

Country Life Omega 3.6.9 Ultra Concentrated

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="129" caption="Country Life Omega 3.6.9. Ultra Concentrated"][/caption]

I could literally kick myself.  If I'm too tired, you can take a whack at it.  On sale, I paid $26 for these $30 supplements.  On Vitacost: $17.30.  Never again.  As much as I love shampoo and soft legs, this is the most prized find as of yet.  With Wolf disease (lupus) and similar conditions, it is common for hair to thin out, fall out, or have trouble receiving nutrients.  I'm not sure why or how.  As a matter of fact, it was the symptom that lead me to re-test myself for the lab results that would determine my problems.  I haven't found a legitimately source that can explain this, not even after a $1,000+ scalp biopsy from a Dermatlogist that was more of a bad comedy than anything else.  Hair means 75% percent of a women's appearance and self-confidence.  I go through many lengths (unintended pun...yay) to keep it healthy and affixed to my stubborn cranium.  A kind knowledgeable floor agent at WF (more so than my doctors) suggested that I exaggeratedly increase my flax oil and seed intake, and all things fishy.

Since its probable I would break bank and die of mercury poison from eating salmon every day,  I opted for a good Omega 3.6.9.  The previous one I had was a cheapo from Target.  It was eh.  Better than nothing.  But this one, in one week its slowed down the onset of muscle pain, inflammation is manageble, and hair looks more nourished (consider the use of new hair products too).  I was even comfortable enough to bust out my 4"ers for a quickie date before Husband had to ship off again.  Hindsight is 20/20, so flats would've been smarter; but to even think about sexy over convenience doesn't cross my mind as much as it does a healthy person.

A good combination of the omegas help: cardiovascular, skin, brain, and immune health.  It fights inflammation and inflammation is that precursor to ANY and ALL diseases (recent findings that I may talk about in the future).  Basically, everything that goes wrong when your body is out of balance.  If you've been inexplicably off lately and can no longer blame it on the full moon, try your luck with this.  It even helps you lose weight (if you're doing your part) since everything in your blood and other traveling byways are functioning at its maximum.  It's greasing the wheels.  This could be why I feel so confident that I'm ready to do some pedaling on the cardio monster. If I recommended any one product on here, it would be the Omega supplements. At Vitacost.

BVLGARI - Au the blanc

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No. It's not organic and it's not economical.  But it was an anniversary gift Husband searched far and wide before being able to find it in his scarce spare time.  I don't wear many scents if ever.  But this line of fragrant products was in the all-inclusive resort we stayed at in San Jose, Los Cabos, for our honeymoon.  I've been lugging around my one left-over miniature body lotion and rationing it out for special occasions.  This year, he knew how to win me over.  Though it came late, it came with perfect timing after a rough month of aches, pain and mostly frustration.  I want to melt in the Pacific Ocean every time I smell it.  It takes me back with a longing passion to those perfect days, luxurious service, and natural foods (yes, I found an organic resort!).  The nostalgia that quickly became attached to the scent is forever sealed.  And no headaches! Bellisimo!

There you have it.  The latest review of things that will aid your temple to concentrate on resisting the heavy influx of chemicals coming our way and give you a bit more peace of mind.  They are inexpensive, they usually work better for immediate results, and for long-term revitalization.

Next on Stimulating the Economy I shall probably explore a good leave-in conditioner and if enough research is done, a good facial moisturizer.  Oh, and homemade cleaning products too.  If you are curious about other organic products and you have any particular suggestions or inquiries, I just might experiment as well since the goal here is to transform all my household products to natural anyway.  Okay, I'm off to pedal myself back to Cabo. Toodaloo!

P.S. I've already had one reader/friend/fresh newlywed try one of the last products I recommended and her face has already begun to smoothen, cleanse, heal, clear up.  And..she found it on sale!  I wouldn't lie to you, see?

P.P.S Disclaimer: I'm not a professional.  These are not suggestions approved by the FDA, not necessarily expert or doctor recommended, yada, yada, yada.  I'm an experimenter healing myself naturally and excited to share the improvements with those in the journey to find wellness as well.  Try at your own risk or share the products you've found with the coming readers.  Grazie.

Pacing myself, Schmacing myself

Living with chronic fatigue and inflammation, the trick is to learn how to pace yourself. Pacing myself is something I've never known and might never learn.

Tonight, there is no in-depth and motivated housewifing or organic products to share.  I left work a few minutes earlier so that I may go home and rest since I felt some stress shoving up against the threshold.  The plan was nap, then exercise, then housewife.

But once I was home free, it was so breezy and sunny out....

The plan turned into: go shopping for things that weren't on the list, reorganize the pantry, refry yesterday's batch of black beans, make dinner, wash dishes, pass out hopelessly at 6pm with swelling from head to toe, swollen throat and mild flu-like symptoms.

Dang it.

My strength may or may not pick up again and the inflammation may or may not decrease.  At this point, I have to coddle my bratty immune system if there exists any chance of finishing my plans or I'll end up watching all of Wednesday's NBC line up.  If I do feel better, I'll be making more celery juice for wellness and taking advantage of some exotic plants I found during my earlier fake-energy boost exploration.  I discovered a Latin supermarket and bought aloe vera and nopal, the spiky gooey plants that have been Aztec medicinal secrets for centuries.  Getting in touch with my Indian roots. I don't know how to use them and their exact health benefits, but if I figure it out, I'll let you know.

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So here is a little treat I prepared a few days ago. Check it out: I created a new page, a link tab of favorite blogs.  The list will be ever increasing, but just a few for now. Gotta pace myself.

http://housewifingaround.wordpress.com/favourite-links/

Shout-out to friends: To those of you who know I have meeting tonight, Husband is out of town so we're going together tomorrow to another one. Will miss you.

The Murder of Two Silver Hairs

Dying hair is not considered much in terms of long-term safety, more so about how long can you go before you drench your hair in paint again.  I certainly viewed it this way the few times I've dyed my hair and required follow-up maintenance.  But times have changed and the collective group of women willing to be educated are aware of the chemicals dangers in existence and on the rise.  Last night, I had the responsibility of considering whether I will dye with my mane with Naturint Permanent Hair Color, claiming to be safer than regular dyes (already purchased), or skip the vanity and leave as is, or experiment with Henna dye.

The following article about the risks , although very neutral, had me in a stupefied state.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0820/is_n253/ai_21034492/




I don't dye my hair frequently and I don't want to anymore. As a matter of fact, I've sprouted two "gray" hairs more akin to a silvery snow that I've grown fond of.  I don't care to see them go.  But from my last ventures into hair color, I have slight discoloration. It's only visible in the sun from my natural dark brown/black hair, but its there.  I was even going to name my two strands of wisdom but if I'm going to darken them out, there is no point in becoming attached.

Growing up, I had an uber-conservative mom when it came to beauty.  She never died her hair, barely wore make-up, and other practical fixins considered to be normal in society for a lady.  She grew up a poor and humble country girl where these things were not needed for survival.  She once told me if I ever dyed my hair, I would not be her daughter.  Being raised in Miami where the masses all have the same sun-bleached brain, there was no way I could not join the sheep herd and dye my woolen hair.  But the peer pressure and curiosity got the best of me.  Against momma's will,  my best friend and a Loreal bottle  colored my hair into the color of a rusty trumpet.

Mom remained in smoldering silence when she saw the hot mess.  Of course, money had to spent on salvaging my straw mop head.  The chemicals must have reached portions of my brain because I can't remember who footed the rescue bill, but I do know she let me remain her baby girl.  As usual, my dear 'ol momma was right.  We just have an innate preference for the natural in my family, whether its the way we were brought up or our indifference to popular opinion.  I want my God-given hair to stay as it is.  At this point in adolescence, I went back to black.

Naturally, an unwritten ethos from a whimsical spaz is easy to forsake in times if fashion kicks and identity switches.  I dyed it for my wedding with some lighter and with some golden tones to catch and glimmer in the sun's reflection.  A year later, I'm back to my natural kick and want it dark again.  And I'm apprehensive.  Should I leave it and wait a few years until it grows back all dark, or hasten the restoration of balance?

We can't protect ourselves from all every and all chemicals. "Every year 1700 new chemicals are approved -- that's an average of five a day." (The Autoimmune Epidemic).  We can buy a water filter for our kitchen faucet and still have residual chemicals, or drink bottled water that's been leaching plastic particles in the overheated truck its being shipped in.  I'm doing a full on detox, but when the pain is insufferable I must take some man-tinkered pill. We can use everything organic, but we step outside and we're breathing smog.  But I can make a decision for my next move whether to invite a risk that's I'm suddenly painfully aware of.  Where is the balance?

I was feeling the stress of all the tiny decisions that come with having a hypersensitive, body begging nature to overpower my faulty immune,  whilst living in a highly toxic city and society.  Considering I was going to dye my hair anyway with regular dye, using a healthier one will not kill me today.  Just like we can't prevent your kids from every stupid decision that comes across their head, like trying to give yourself blond highlights without a pro in the room, I cannot prevent myself from every dirty little compound that might affect me.  I've learned how to read one more label and to research even deeper before purchasing products that we're never much of a concern before.

My hair is a solid chestnut brown and is looking pretty healthy.  The product itself was great and I would recommend it to anyone who colors their locks regularly and would like a healthier option.  But the paranoia I went through about scabbing, follicles rejecting my hair, and a Lupus flare-up: not worth it.  Not to mention my friend's dad was talking to me about cancer half the time.  Next time  I go with the henna. Or grow it out. I already miss the two little testaments of time that were trying to make a point.