Struggling with no poo method and attempting new avenues

It has been eight months without shampoo. Initially, I really liked using baking soda. It made my hair feel great once it was dry. Around Thanksgiving I began to notice my hair feeling damaged. The ends began to split excessively. It was getting out of control. I decided I needed to oil my hair to re-vamp its soft feel and nutrients. I purchased jojoba oil at a local vitamin store. I combined it with a few essential oils and vitamin E oil in order to really get it nice and shiny. I covered my hair in the oil and covered it in a shower cap. I even attempted to sleep with it in my hair. This was a huge mistake. I couldn't sleep with the crunchy sound I heard every other moment when my head moved against the pillow. Anyway, I no pooed in the morning (twice) and comped through with my wet comb and my hair felt fabulous... for a while. It just wasn't cutting it. My ends were getting dry and my roots seemed to feel greasy rather quickly. I tried putting in corn starch, but that made my head look ok but still feel nasty to my touch. And the baking soda began to irritate my scalp. I read numerous other bloggers' responses to the no poo method, but I just didn't know where to turn. I struggled on through January. By the end of January I thought I should try another new product because this once wasn't working out too well. 

I had read a lot about the Morrocco Method through online research. It seemed like my style since I have changed over the past six months to more of a chemical free lifestyle. I bought the sampler pack of shampoos and conditioner/styling products. I have been using these products for about three weeks now. It seems to be working out just fine, but we'll see where it goes! I'm not loving the scents for them being scented. I usually prefer no scent to a scent I find unpleasant. Maybe they'll grow on me. I've been alternating their different shampoos and seeing which I prefer, though they say you should keep it fresh and alternate. I'm not great about following recommendations, so we'll see how accurately I can follow the program. I know I can't follow a recipe when I cook, but I think I can be flexible with something like this. Maybe?

No-Poo Method

In my quest to find little ways to clean up the lives of my family, I've decided to cut shampoo out of my bodily cleanliness schedule. This means that instead of filling my hair and scalp with chemicals I can do a quick rinse and occasionally (at this point, every three days, but hopefully soon only once a week) use baking soda. I've been doing this for the past three weeks. 

At first I didn't like how the the baking soda made my hair feel when it was wet. It felt kind of scratchy and not clean. I realize that the smooth texture of my hair was solely the chemicals sitting on my hair, causing my hair and scalp to get extra greasy. When my hair is wet it still feels kind of nasty. Once it dries, either naturally or with a blow dryer, it feels fabulous. I usually don't use product in my hair besides a little hairspray, so I don't have problems washing out a bunch of junk each time I use baking soda. Even when my hair is semi-dry it feels gross. 

So far, it has been good. It's going to be great seeing how my hair looks and feels in a few months!

Beginnings in the life of a wife and family lady

I have been married for 8 months as of this past Sunday. Together we are raising my 6 year old son while we both work full time and I am completing my Master's Degree. I am a first year teacher trying to figure out the public education system in the Midwest while raising my son, preparing excellent dinners for my family, and socializing with my friends. These are little experiences from my life. 

Here is a family picture from our first adventure skiing in March 2013. 

This is our beautiful wedding. July 21, 2012.

Having a lovely family adventure in the summer of 2012.