Week One of the "No Shampoo" Experiment...

So, unfortunately week one of my no shampoo experiment pretty much failed....well, I guess it didn't completely fail, but still...

Day One: 
 I washed my hair with baking soda and rinsed it with apple cider vinegar. When I blow-dried my hair I was actually amazed at how clean it felt and how shiny it was. Mind you, it was a tad bit greasy but that is to be expected. So overall I was impressed after my first time of going "no shampoo".

Day Two:
Didn't shower that day. Was really impressed at how non-greasy my hair was. Still clean and manageable but I pulled it into a ponytail anyways to keep it out of my face.

Day Three:
Once again, I washed my hair with baking soda and rinsed with ACV. Still really impressed at how clean my hair was. However,  I accidentally used a little too much ACV and my hair had a slight smell to it, but that was easily fixed with a little bit of body spray ;)  I also noticed that my hair started going through the "transition" phase. While it was clean, you could tell it was slightly oily near the roots.

Day Four:
Okay this is where I failed...I was in such a rush that morning and I didn't have time to whip up some baking soda wash so I cheated and used shampoo...I know, I know. Terrible.  Funny thing was, when I stopped in at Lush that day to find a facial mask (my favourite is their cupcake mask! Works wonders!) the lady complimented me on how great my hair looked after going "no shampoo". I had to confess to her that I cheated that day and I used shampoo. Oops. She was pretty understanding though.

Day Five:
Didn't Shower. Although I was really surprised at how oily my hair was. With the baking soda wash my hair the next day still looked fresh, while today it looked and felt dirty.

Day Six:
Once again, I cheated and used shampoo. I really need to stick with the program!

Day Seven: 
I didn't wash my hair today. Although, I have concluded that when I use shampoo my hair gets oilier faster. It's really odd. So once I return from holidays, I am going back to my "no shampoo" experiment. I loved the results the two times I have used it and I am excited to see what my hair will be like when I no longer use shampoo at all. Maybe this time I can last longer than two days without using shampoo ;)

Are We Willing to Be Traders?...

One of my friends posted this video on her facebook page and I thought I would share it with you...

As I was watching this video, it really challenged me personally to think about whether or not I am willing to be a "trader"...to stand up for my faith, for injustice.

 To take every opporutinity I have in life to praise my Heavenly Father and witness to those around me through my love and  my actions...

Am I willing to be a trader?

Are you?

The "No Shampoo" Experiment...

Okay, as someone who is always trying to find more natural sources for body and hair products, when I first heard about going "shampoo free" I have to admit it grossed me out just a little bit.  Actually... it grosses me out a lot. All I can think of is that I will end up with greasy, limp hair that needs to be pulled back into a pony tail. However,  as I continue to search through different websites and blogs, there seems to be enough positive feed back to actually try and go shampoo free.

So, why go shampoo free?

1) Shampoo is a detergent. While it does a great job at cleaning your hair, it also strips it of all the healthy oils that can protect your hair. This can cause your hair to over produce oil.

2) Shampoo is chock-full of chemicals that are bad for your hair and skin.

3) Shampoo can become an expensive and unnecessary cost.

Recipe for "Shampoo Free" Hair Wash:

Need: 1 TBLSP of Baking Soda

1 Cup of Water

Combine the baking soda and water together in a squeeze bottle (an old shampoo bottle will do) and shake until dissolved. When washing your hair, first wet your hair completely. Next, pour the baking soda mix over your hair starting at your crown and massaging it into your scalp as you go. You will not need to use the whole mix. Rinse  out.

Recipe for "Shampoo Free" Conditioner:

Need: 1 TBLSP of Apple Cider Vinegar

1 Cup of Water

Combine ACV and water in another squeeze bottle container.

Use this mix sparingly as it can cause your hair to become greasy. Most people just pour it on the ends of their hair and rinse out. Even though ACV has a harsh smell it will not stay in your hair.

Now from what I have read, there is about a 2 week to a few months transition period for your hair. In the mean time the hair might be a little greasy. I am hoping I can stick with this experiment long enough to see some results.

Hopefully it works! And here I go!

Here are some great resources that I have read that have convinced me to try this no shampoo experiment.  I would highly encourage you to read them :): 

http://simplemom.net/how-to-clean-your-hair-without-shampoo/

http://www.natural-forces.com/essays/poofree.htm

Ask Me Why I Hurt...

I know what you may be thinking as you read the title of this blog post...but no. I am not the one hurting. This title is actually from a book I recently read called "Ask Me Why I Hurt: The Kids Nobody Wants and The Doctor Who Heals Them". This post may be a little long, so bear with me. 

This book is about Randy Christiensen, a doctor  "who has dedicated his life to caring for society's throwaway kids—the often-abused, unloved children who live on the streets without access to proper health care, all the while fending off constant threats from thugs, gangs, pimps, and other predators. With the Winnebago as his moveable medical center, Christensen and his team travel around the outskirts of Phoenix, attending to the children and teens who need him most" (Random House).

Let me first say that this book has changed my perspective on homelessness and has given me a deeper insight into the lives of children and teens that so desperately just need somebody to love them. It has shattered all my "romantic" notions of swooping in and saving the lives of broken teenagers and has instead replaced it with the raw and real understanding that these children come with baggage, hurt and pain all surrounded with protective walls that no adult could ever break down on their own. As Dr. Christiensen writes in his book "these kids had built fortresses around their hearts. They were not about to share with me secrets that they had never told anyone...Mary was so shut down that I wasn't sure if anyone could reach her".

Ever since I have returned from Guatemala, I have known that God has put it in my heart to help the invisible children that our socitey tends to ignore. I have read books like "Freedom Writers" by Erin Gruwell  and  "The Water is Wide" by Pat Conroy, all inspirational stories of people changing the lives of the children around them. But never once did I ever consider the hardships and trials that these people faced.

One quote that impacted me the most in this book was when Dr. Christiensen was being introduced to a new patient on his bus:

"In that crystalline moment, my eyes dropped to Mary's wrist. It was very thin and white, and I cold see the tender knob of the ulna bone. The bracelet, made of large letter beades strung together into a sentance, was large and conspicious. I read the beads she had strung together. It took me a moment to absorb what they said: ASK ME WHY I HURT. For a moment I was so caught off guard I thought my heart had stopped. My breath caught. I wanted to ask her what painful memories had left their mark so deep that she needed to wear this plea around her wrist. But she suddenly turned to me with a look as if to say, "Don't ask. Not yet""....

When I read this passage an overwhelming feeling washed over me. These are the children I want to help, these are the children that I want to see come from terrible backgrounds and rise up to the person they were created to be. These are the teens that have been placed in my heart. But how could I ever help them? I can't relate to their stories, their pain. But as I have read from "Ask Me Why I Hurt" and re-reading other books, is that these children don't need "rescuing". I have seen that they don't need somebody who is fake, or false to who they are. What they do need is an adult who they can trust, who they can come to and know that they are SAFE and who can be a support sytem when they don't have one. 

As mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daugherts, sons, ect. we need to take the time and effort to help the invisible of our nations. To be a voice for the voiceless. 

As Dr. Christiensen writes "children were the same everywhere, I thought...In many ways children across our country...were living in conditions similar to those in an underdeveloped nation. Society didn't want to admit that, but it was true. We are such a rich country I thought, with so many caring people. It hurts me to think that we let this happen...I still believed we all shared the responsiblity for taking care of our children"

Please check out the website HERE

How I love Rain...

Okay, so by now most people here are sick of the rain. But to be honest, I absolutely love the rain. There is just something about the rain that brings a sense of newness, stillness and peace.  

Here are some reasons why I love the rain:

1. I love the sound of rain. Especially when I lived in the country and you could hear the quiet splashing of the rain in our nearby pond.

2. I love the sweet and refreshing smell that rain brings. Everything smells so new and clean.

3. I love the cozy, warm feeling that a rainy day can have. On a rainy day it seems like the perfect opportunity to curl up with a good book, a hot cup of tea, a fuzzy blanket and an overstuffed couch and read to my heart's content.

4. Puddle jumping. Enough said.

5. Dancing in the rain. When there is a good downpour there is nothing more freeing or fun for that matter, then racing outside in bare feet and jumping and skipping through the rain.

6. Everything is so lush and green after the rain stops. Rain brings new life.

7. The thunder and lightning that a rain storm can bring. There is nothing better than sitting in the living room and getting front row seats to the best light and sound show ever.

Trust me, I love my sunny days too. But to me there is nothing better than a rainy day.  

Wondering what's around the corner ...

So, needless to say I have neglected my blog since I have been home. Ottawa and Quebec City were both fantastic trips and I enjoyed both immensely. Especially since in Quebec I was able to cross off "see Cirque Du Soleil live" off my bucket list. Wow. They were beyond incredible. There are no words to describe how creatively wonderful these performers are.

However, since I have been home I have been day dreaming what exactly is in store for me over the next few years. Or, more like seriously contemplating about what is going to happen with my life. Ever since I was in Grade 11  I have had the next 10 years of my life planned out. First, I was going to university for 5 years to get my Bachelor of Arts with an after degree in Education. Then, after completing my  both my degrees, I wanted to take a few years off to work and travel with the plan of eventually moving down to central America to teach the precious children of Guatemala....haha. Ya. So much for that plan.

Since the very short 3 years I have graduated high school, I have realized that the plans I have for my life are not necessarily the plans that God has for my life. He has turned my "5 year plan" upside down and is leading me down a path that I didn't know existed. And for that, I am grateful. One of my favourite quotes is by worship artist Jason Upton who sings:

 "To you I give my life, not just the parts I want to
to you I sacrifice these dreams that I hold on to
Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine
...This is no sacrifice
Here's my life"

While it is scary to surrender and to live with my arms wide open, I am slowly (very slowly) beginning to take these words to heart, knowing that while God gave me my hopes, dreams and desires, I have to surrender them all back to Him knowing that He has something far greater planned out for me than I could ever imagine.

So as I go into this next chapter of my life by doing an internship in Ottawa and jumping feet first out of my comfort zone, I know that He has created this amazing adventure for me. When I choose to surrender and follow His voice, His footsteps, I know He is going to use me in ways I could have never even plotted out in my "five year plan".