Comments on: Plastic Challenge: Laura in Maine, Week 3

By: Radha

Radha — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 22:04:09 +0000

I also use coconut oil. It is so healing. I have recently started using it on my face and my acne has cleared up!

By: Beth Terry

Beth Terry — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 06:42:10 +0000

http://myplasticfreelife.com/2008/01/hand-lotion-is-it-for-bees/

By: EcoCatLady (AKA Rebecca)

EcoCatLady (AKA Rebecca) — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 23:45:20 +0000

I use both jojoba oil and coconut for moisturizers for both skin and hair, but still had problems with cracked and bleeding skin around my fingernails and lips (I live in Colorado, which is basically a desert climate.) My dermatologist told me that you need some sort of wax in addition to the oil (not sure why) but she gave me some samples of a product called Theraplex which is the only thing that has healed the cracked & bleeding skin. It’s a total petro product though, so I’m gonna look into making something myself using beeswax. I think Beth has a post on making lotion somewhere…

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 22:22:08 +0000

Okay, I used the recipe Danielle posted to make granola bars. They taste good but I ran out of honey partway through so they are not really bars- I have chunks and then I have granola cereal. But they’re good enough to try again when I have more honey.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 08:35:06 +0000

The critical part of lotions is oil, so normal cooking oils actually do everything your lotion does. It takes them a little longer to sink in to your skin, and they don’t have water in them so it’s best to use them on damp skin, but they moisturize very well. Coconut oil is a great choice, nice and light, absorbs well, and comes in glass jars a lot! I think there is a little plastic in jar lids, though.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 23:14:57 +0000

Face lotion. Do you mean moisturiser? I use Lush, they have all that stuff as “naked” products.

Hey Eco Cat lady. did you see, we´ve started using the bidet! I can´t believe it. & it ain´t so bad you know.

By: EcoCatLady (AKA Rebecca)

EcoCatLady (AKA Rebecca) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:06:01 +0000

I’ve tried numerous TP alternatives and have come to the conclusion that for number one, rinsing with water and drying with a small dedicated towel is the way to go. But for number two, there’s really no good alternative to TP. I tried many different things but finally decided I had reached the point of diminishing returns. Still, it’s allowed me to significantly reduce my TP usage!

By: Danielle

Danielle — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:21:49 +0000

Crunchy snacks are easy… you just have to make them ;)

America’s Test Kitchen has a Crunchy Granola Bar recipe in their Baking Illustrated cookbook… it’s super easy and since you have access to bulk foods… a snap to make plastic-free. …and I just googled… the recipe is online!! (woot!) http://recipejourney.com/?p=509 (the recipe calls for brown sugar… I make my own by adding a bit of molasses to regular sugar. It’s easy, but if you need more info… let me know) I’ve also made graham crackers… super easy and so much better than the store bought ones :)

Also, I would really recommend the Healthy Snacks to Go cookbook– Beth reviewed it awhile ago: http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/04/26/healthy-snacks-to-go-ebook-now-on-sale/

By: Beth Terry

Beth Terry — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:19:21 +0000

Your trip to the coop sounds like it was fun. And yes, you’ll accumulate a lot more glass jars. We have a cupboard full of them, but we always find uses for more.

Have you seen Organic Essence lotions and lip balms in recycled compostable cardboard containers/tubes?

http://myplasticfreelife.com/2009/12/plastic-free-organic-essence-lip-balm-body-cream-give-away/