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How Pink Himalayan Sea Salt and the No-Poo Craze Made Me Question Everything
As a 44-year-old college-educated mom of four, my life has always revolved around my family. I breastfed my little ones, whipped up homemade baby food, and prepared nutritious meals nightly—always with fresh ingredients and that must-have organic coconut oil. I’m the one who makes sure homework is done, knows the kids’ teachers, chaperones school trips, gifts bus drivers (yep, even for middle school), volunteers as the room parent, and teaches Vacation Bible School every July at our church.
I strive to buy organic, avoid soda and juice, recycle everything (even toilet paper rolls!), and use good fats like ghee and real olive oil—none of those questionable blends (seriously, Google it). I limit screen time and encourage outdoor play. I’m a regular on sites about minimalism, paleo diets, grass-fed meats, supporting local farms, and steering clear of GMOs. I even grow my own organic veggies and flowers, collect rainwater, and compost everything. But let me tell you, this whirlwind of wellness is costing me my sanity.
Here’s the scoop: I still use aluminum-laden deodorant and sulfite-filled shampoo, and I’ve been cozying up with my electric blanket for as long as I can remember—just like my parents did. Sure, I’ve tried that all-natural no-poo method that turned my hair a shade of reddish-brown that reminded me of a clown. And those chemical-free deodorants? Let’s just say I was smelling like a sweaty construction worker before I left the house.
When I read about putting butter in coffee for health benefits, I gave it a whirl using organic grass-fed butter. I stared at that oily cup of black coffee, took two sips, and promptly dumped it down the drain. What a waste!
I have friends who craft their own all-natural deodorants, yet I’ve heard horror stories of rashes from the baking soda they apply under their arms. I even switched to pink Himalayan sea salt for its supposed mineral perks, only to read late one night that it might contain uranium. So, what’s worse? A tiny hint of radiation, or a chemically processed version of salt? Seriously, pink Himalayan sea salt kept me tossing and turning at night!
I’ve come to realize that my mental space has been overtaken by these suburban first-world dilemmas. I’ve been preoccupied with thoughts like whether my kids are getting enough magnesium, the grass-fed chicken debate, and the arsenic lurking in the rice I might serve. It was time to take a step back!
A college friend and I tried the same no-poo conditioner and ended up with the same disappointing results. Shouldn’t natural be better for us? After a few texts, with both of us lamenting about our hair feeling like straw and being impossible to comb, I finally said, “Nope! I’m returning this stuff and going back to my trusty shampoo and conditioner.”
I’m okay with possibly sacrificing a couple of years of life for my sulfite shampoo, aluminum deodorant, and the warmth of my beloved electric blanket during frigid winter nights. The mental and emotional strain of trying to do everything “right” was making it oh-so-wrong.
Growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, I thrived on Twinkies, Pop-Tarts, and Chef Boyardee, not to mention a steady diet of Scooby-Doo and The Brady Bunch. I loved the smell of gasoline as my dad filled the tank and rode my bike without a helmet. And, believe it or not, my mom received weekly mercury injections while pregnant with me, yet here I am, happy and healthy—so are my parents, who grew up inhaling secondhand smoke in cars with the windows rolled up tight.
I’m ready to embrace a little risk and reclaim my sanity. So, pass me my Secret deodorant and regular shampoo, and crank up that electric blanket!
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In summary, while striving for organic and natural living can feel admirable, it’s essential to recognize when it might be causing more stress than benefit. Sometimes, a return to simpler, less stringent routines may be the best path for our peace of mind.