My Skin

Why is it that for years I've used chemical ridden product after chemical ridden product with not one single problem? Literally smearing it all over my skin without any breakouts whatsoever. But now, now that I am completey kosher, my skin is like, "Ahhhh! help?!" Perhaps my skin is reacting to these natural products in such an adverse way because my body is still full of toxins. And toxins, much like misery, love company. Maybe, just an idea. Alright back to my peeling eyes. Sigh.

Green and Green

One of the hardest parts of being environmentally friendly is watching the dollars disappear from your wallet faster than you can say global warming. It's amazing to me how expensive items can be just because they aren't popular and the demand is not as high as the average American product.

I've been wanting to replace my cosmetics and facial creams for sometime now, but have been waiting for them to run out (I'm cheap and I hate to throw things away). Anyway, my cosmetics stores are nearing the end so I've begun my research. The main ingredients that your cosmetics should not have are sodium laurel sulfate, Pthalates, parabens and fragrance/parfum. It has been difficult to find cosmetics that are a good price and healthy for you. I feel lucky that I've found a few items at Target, of all places. I've discovered Physicians Formula Organic Wear. I've purchased their pressed powder and blush. Hopefully they are just as good as my chemically ridden products that I smear all over my face that I buy at such high end stores as Walgreens while on clearance.

Today at Whole Foods I was in search of face wash, eye makeup remover and face lotion/sunblock. I could not believe that prices. Some of these items are over $40.00. It's amazing! I found a Kiss My Face facial line that was on the lower end. Face soap 12.99 and lotion 18.99. The lotion was in a one ounce bottle if you can believe that. I know! I also purchased Earth Science makeup remover for 6.49. It's so hard to buy these items at these prices. I'm just not used to it. But I suppose if I really want to be healthy and green I've got to give a little more green than I'm used to. Now is the time to put my money where my mouth is...and maybe I can look pretty while doing it too.

Rooster Runs and Leaf Leaves

LeAnn's family lives in a rural area, well, it used to be more rural. Anyway, a few years ago Darrin was telling us that he had gone on a rooster run that morning. We all looked confused at him and he began to explain. Roosters are mean. They peck and spit at you and are generally grumpus, so when you have one as a baby you keep it while it's cute and then you get rid of it. First, you choose as neighbor that you don't like, or would like to bother. Second you enlist a get away driver. Lastly, you drive by the back fence, throw the rooster overboard, and speed away in your getaway truck...this is a rooster run. Hilarious I think.

Last week, we had someone pull a Leaf Leave on us while we weren't watching. Ryan came running inside to inform me that someone had left two large bags of leaves for our compost pile. Apparently we are so geek-greened out that we are getting compost drive-by's. But, whatever, the more the merrier I guess. What's next people will leave bidets and rain barrels on our doorstep? That would be nice. Then we could scratch those two to-do's off our list.

I blockbustered Living with Ed from HGTV. It's six episodes of Ed Begley's life as an environmentalist with his wife, who does not want to be all of the time. If anyone wants to see a day in the life at the Sauer Home watch this show. I have never laughed so hard at a television show. It hit so close to home. Some of my favorite quotes so far:

"I'm making toast." grins Ed as he rides his bike to supply energy to his toaster to heat it up.

"I can never leave this man alone. Each time I come home there's a new contraption in my house."

"There's always some new monstrosity in my backyard."

"I'm all for the environment but why does everything have to be so ugly!"

"I'm surprised you haven't used a magic marker to put the numbers back on the knob." Rachelle
"That's a great idea, I'm gonna' get a marker." replies Ed.

Ed's wife Rachelle is hilarious. They fight over each new green idea Ed has. It totally reminds me of Ryan and his first attempt at a TPT greenhouse, or his many jimmy rigged contraptions that are hideous but he is so proud of. Plus, he has some good ideas we'd like to implement.

He reminds me so much of Ryan. Ed Begley was composting while in an apartment. He would save his scraps, walk to the RR tracks, dig a hole and dump them in. Doesn't this remind you of Ryan's shed full of recyclables that the City of Tempe didn't recycle at the time? Now, that's dedication, a bit crazy, but dedication none the less. He has a new book out now I'd like to get, but I'm cheap...we'll see.

Our next goal is to obtain a bidet for our master bath. We need a small diaper pail and liner and wash cloths. I think I can find all of these supplies at a cloth diaper store. We will simply use the bidet to wash, use wash cloths to dry and place in our pail to wash later. Voila! We will have the cleanest bums on the block and will not be polluting the environment with rolls and rolls of tp. Plus we won't have to buy nearly as much tp too - very cost effective, I think. I'm excited. And to irritate Helena, it will also be great for my ladies days, or post birth to keep the area clean and fresh!