Cucumbers are Cool...And Curative!

While I very seldom read email forwards, the ones from my grandma tend to be useful and from reputable sources. This one, detailing the health benefits and myriad household uses of cucumbers, caught my attention. I already knew cucumbers were healthy. An alkaline food, they help balance pH and are one of the only foods that never cause me acid reflux. They really seem to help settle my stomach and are refreshing. I also love me a cucumber peel facial. Here is the email forward verbatim:

Never thought that CUCUMBER can do so much!

The Amazing Cucumber

This information was in The New York Times several weeks ago as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems.

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminium to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the photochemical in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the photochemical will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Pass this along to everybody you know who is looking for better and safer ways to solve life's everyday problems.

Lemon Juice, Coconut Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Oh My!!!

I was so excited to discover the above chart on MindBodyGreen.com. I am all about utilizing natural, chemical-free remedies whenever possible. I intend to try all these products for the various uses listed as I am chronically chemically sensitive and striving to eliminate the toxins from my life.

Cleaning Tips for the Chemically Sensitive

This post has been a long time coming. While my chemical sensitivities are not as severe as they used to be, I still consider myself a highly sensitive individual when it comes to smells. Luckily I am not usually sensitive to soaps and detergents, but everything else around the house is fair game, particularly when it comes to cleaning products. I don't have any products like Windex, PineSol, 409 or anything of the sort around the house. Instead, I rely on products that don't trigger my chemical sensitivities. A few of my favorites are Bon Ami, the entire Seventh Generation line, (especially their dishwashing detergent!) baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and occasionally rubbing alcohol. If I ever have to be around chemicals I use them outdoors only. I even polish my nails outside on the deck because the smell of the polish and the remover bothers me indoors.

I keep a pretty tidy house thanks to having mild ocd tendencies. So I never let things get dirty enough to warrant the use of chemical cleaners. For dusting I simply damp dust everything. I wash the countertops with water and a dab of dawn dishwashing liquid. If I need to disinfect surfaces I will use either hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol. A 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle does double duty as a powerful unscented glass and window cleaner and a disinfectant. It's one of my favorite products. Some people also swear by a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water for window cleaning but I haven't tried that one yet. I use Purex Free and Clear detergent in the washing machine and I don't use any fabric softener or dryer sheets as they're simply not necessary. I use organic wool balls in the dryer as an alternative. Glade Plug-Ins, Febreze or any sort of air freshener sprays are also not necessary. If you must scent your air to create extra ambiance, use things like soy-based scented candles made with essential oils, or try putting a few drops of your favorite essential oil in a diffuser. There are myriad chemical-free and natural product lines on the market these days, in big stores, online and made by small businesses and individuals. I love Dreamland Naturals on Etsy for affordable all natural soaps and bar shampoos.

Not only is chemical-free cleaning way healthier for you and your family, it's also much easier on your environment. By going chemical free you're reducing your carbon footprint and going greener. It's a win/win.

Navigating Multiple Chemical Sensitivities

Although it is a colossal challenge, most people living with chemical sensitivities can lead relatively normal lives as long as they live them carefully. The first step is controlling the home environment. Keeping living spaces as clean and dust-free as possible is the healthiest option for everyone, and especially people with multiple chemical sensitivities. And keeping them clean without the use of noxious chemical cleansers is even better. Some natural options include vinegar and baking soda as a mild abrasive cleanser, and hydrogen peroxide is an odor-free germ killing alternative to bleach. Hydrogen peroxide mixed with water is also a safe alternative to windex and to disinfect countertops and surfaces.

Outdoors, practice natural lawn care without chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Surprisingly, old fashioned table salt or vinegar will kill weeds and make them easier to pull. Opt for pressure washing the exterior of your home and outdoor furniture instead of using chemical cleaners. If you must paint, inside or outside, the new line of low VOC paints from Rodda called Horizon are surprisingly odorless. There is a still a very faint paint scent, so proper ventilation and airflow is necessary as always.

As far as personal care products like shampoos, deodorants and cosmetics are concerned, many are available in unscented, hypoallergenic and natural options. Try unscented shampoo, natural crystal deodorant and the Physician's Formula or Jane Iredale cosmetics lines. I have also had good luck with Aveeno and Alba products. It is always best to select products with the least amount of ingredients possible, as it is less likely that you will be sensitive to one of them. For facials and deep conditioning treatments, use foods like avocados, olive oil, bananas, or oatmeal. Chances are, if you can eat something safely, you won't have an adverse reaction to it when used on your skin or hair. Be sure to notify your hair stylist about chemical sensitivities. He or she may be able to schedule your appointment at a time when there are no chemical services scheduled for other clients in order to minimize your exposure.

When venturing out into public spaces where it is difficult to control your own environment, make sure to stay clear of smokers, pesticides, or even heavy traffic, as the air pollution often triggers symptoms in chemically sensitive individuals. Be aware that most public parks and spaces are treated with chemical fertilizers or weedkillers, so be cautious about sitting on the lawns. Whenever you can, make sure to inform others that you are extremely sensitive to chemicals whether it is in the workplace or at the mechanic's. My mom purchased a new Jeep last year, and the dealership used a special chemical treatment to protect the interior as an extra surprise for her, but it ended up being an unwelcome surprise for me on the ride home. It never occurred to either one of us that they would treat the interior with such strong smelling chemicals. They had good intentions and only meant it as a nice gesture, a freebie they threw in with the purchase of the car. It was quite possibly the worst car ride of my life, even with all the windows open and I could not ride in the vehicle until months after it had aired out completely.

I learned a valuable lesson that day: don't be afraid to speak up about chemical sensitivities. Most people will be glad you let them know and more than happy to accommodate you.

For more tips and tricks on living with multiple chemical sensitivities, please visit:

http://www.multiplechemicalsensitivity.org/multiple-chemical-sensitivity-links.php.