#a 'no chemicals' freak i mean not an allergy freak which i am

[violentdevotion]

did i tell you guys that i developed an allergy to vaseline over the summer so now when i buy lip balm i have to read the ingredients list like a freak 😔

[thebibliosphere]

Hello fam. This is a post brought to you by a Patreon request—I know, it’s been a while since I’ve done one of these—from Sarah G, asking my thoughts and opinions on the Zero Waste movement that is sweeping across certain parts of the online strata, particularly on youtube and pinterest. (Links are in bold for  ease of access and viewing, and are non affiliated.)

Sarah writes: Hi  Joy, I know this isn’t exactly in the realm of vampires (can’t wait for  Phangs!) but I feel this is something you might have some good advice  on if you have the spoons to talk about it. I recently started looking  into more eco-friendly ways to live after your posts about allergies and  toxic synthetics made me realize I had several things in my home that  were triggering my asthma and I came across the concept of zero waste,  which sounded really cool at first, and then I looked into it some more  and it just sort of seems fake and I was wondering what your thoughts  were on it.

Zero Waste is indeed something I’m familiar with, and like you, I have mixed feelings on the community around it. The principles of Zero Waste i.e. reducing the amount of waste you produce an the types  of waste you produce, are great. I think it’s a solid, good idea to try  and promote more ethical produce and buying habits, both for the planet and from a personal financial stand point. The more you can reuse and  recycle the better. But I also feel the … fandom (can you call it  that???) can be quite off putting and at times extremely self righteous and judgemental in attitude. Amidst the crunchy hippies, the minimalists and those just straight up trying to live a little better, are those who have managed to make something meant for the betterment of the planet into something about themselves, and they're willing and ready to make sure we know just how evil we are for still having plastic straws with our drinks. Cause, y’know, it’s not big companies doing the most damage to the environment, no sirree it’s you and your plastic water bottle, you monster. (Don’t  worry, we’ll get to why the war on plastic is being handled wrong.)

Yea, those people are very fake and very off putting, and I see a lot  of them on youtube. And a lot of the time, they’re actually giving  contradictory advice toward actually living a zero waste lifestyle.

When talking about this with other people, I have taken to calling this The Mason Jar Aesthetic.

A  while ago, while I was talking about sustainable living with a friend (hi Michael!), and he mentioned that he and his wife were thinking of using  mason jars as an alternative to buying expensive glassware, because if  one breaks, you’ll always be able to replace them easily and you'll always have a matching  set. Which blew my mind as genius because not only is that a super cost effective, but it’s also a really sustainable way of living, both from a zero waste ethic standpoint and financially too.

For example, where I am in the US,  for $15 I can usually get 12 half pint mason jars, if not for less  depending on where I shop. They come with lids and seal top discs, which  are easy to replace if I ever use them for canning and can also be safely frozen, sanitized and reused again and again, meaning they are long lasting and multi-purpose. And, if you are using them as drinkware and this is important to you, they all match.

For me however, the real benefit of the humble mason jar, is that they can be fully recycled, though it is important to note that in some regions, the tops may need to go to a separate facility from the glass jar itself, so you’d  need to check with your local recycling center on that. But regardless, the whole thing is recyclable, sturdy, multi-purpose, easily transportable (seal your drink and off you go!), cost effective, and some may even argue, aesthetically pleasing.

Pinterest certainly seems to think so:

[ID: a screenshot from the website Pinterest depicting many diy crafty projets for home and the kitchen involving mason jars]

Some of the larger pint ones, would also fit nicely into a mobility aid like a cup holder, for those of us who need easy to grip handles. (Also as an aside, if you need more stability and often lament that  there is no such thing as a two handed mug—or even if you find most mug  handles too small to get a good grip—those things are great, they just  clip right on. Life changing.) Because if your argument for sustainability isn’t inclusive, it’s not good enough.

Which  is where the war on plastic comes in. Looking at you “lets ban all  drinking straws regardless of the fact that plastic straws are a vital  necessity for some people with disabilities”, and no, pasta straws are not a safe alternative for everyone (allergies/celiac), metal is expensive and also inflexible, and neither are the bamboo, glass or silicone ones. Banning plastic straws at this moment in time, is not the solution.

Brighter minds than mine have tried to solve this, but as a general proposal, instead of an outright ban, until a sustainable and disabled friendly alternative is found, plastic straws in food establishments could be issued by request, without—and this is important—without shaming disabled people for needing to use something which you can easily opt to avoid if you desire  to do so. Because once more kids and with feeling, if your argument for sustainability isn’t inclusive, it’s not good enough.

(I am fully prepared to get hate over this, the arguments over this shit on twitter were wild. And no, it is not the responsibility of disabled people to come up with a solution to this, while subsisting on restricted income, restricted access to resources, and often times restricted mobility to boot. If you feel this strongly about disabled people using plastic straws, be part of the solution that helps to find a valid alternative. You want this problem fixed, you do it inclusively.)

Now, where was I, oh yeah. Mason jars.

By  contrast, a box of 4 glass tumblers of roughly the same volume, can be  anywhere from $10-$20 or even more depending on where you look. And  while they might look nice, they are single purpose, expensive, and  also—and this is important, cause not a lot of people know this—cannot be recycled.

But Joy, you say, waiting to throw the shards of the broken glass you just swept up off the floor into the recycling, how much damage can it  really do? Glass is just glass? Right?  

Well, here’s the thing about this type of glass. In order to make it thin and aesthetically appealing, it has to be treated with special chemicals (like molten potassium nitrate) to toughen it up and make it shock resistant to temperatures. The problem with this however, is that treated glass, doesn’t melt  at the same temperature as untreated glass, which can cause several  problems at recycling facilities, ranging from damaged equipment at the  plant (not good!) to creating flawed, glass which is too fragile for  use, and will ultimately, you guessed it, end up on the landfill. [Source] The same is true of mirrors and glass from doors and windowpanes. [Source]

So if you do drop your glass and it breaks, please don't put it in the recycling, wrap it up in brown paper and throw it in the trash. Similarly, if you are sick of the sight of your old glassware, don't pitch it. Instead consider giving it to goodwill or your local equivalent. Someone will use it.

And don't feel bad if you didn't know. I never knew this either till a while ago, but it made me  really think twice about how non-eco-friendly and sustainable my home life  is. And I’m not saying this to guilt anymore or make you feel bad that  you don’t do more, heck knows I never used to give a crap about any of  this stuff until I started getting sick and developed multiple chemical  sensitivities (Hi if you’re new here, I’m allergic to the modern world due  to some frankly dystopian levels of auto-immune problems that emerged  in the last few years, send help) and realized just how very not good a  lot of the things I was doing are, for both me and the planet.

I  am not a crunchy hippy by choice, but by necessity of survival. You  have to be when plastics and most mattress fillers and couch stuffing  starts bringing you out in a rash/makes you wheeze and suddenly you find  yourself wandering the aisles of “eco-friendly" stores wondering if the sales rep you’re listening to actually knows what they’re talking about or  if they’re a tinfoil hatter who also puts essential oils in their drinking water. (We've been over this, do not.)

But do you know what I also noticed in those supposedly eco-friendly stores?

Mason jar drinkware being sold at $20 a pop. Surely, I thought to myself, surely it’s $20 for a set of at least four?

Nope.

And  do you know what else? This wasn’t just a regular mason jar glass that  had been tinted blue, no, this was “treated shock resistant glass”. So  what they did was, they took an iconic recyclable object that is  actually very cheap to produce and buy, inflated the cost by a huge  amount, and then, made it non-recyclable, for profit.

Are-you-freaking-kidding-me?

And  that’s a huge problem I find, with trying to find information and  resources online about sustainable living and eco-friendly products, because a lot of them? Are actually hugely wasteful if not in actual material, then certainly in mentality.

I watched one notable youtuber vlog about how she got rid of everything in her  kitchen and replaced it with more eco-friendly (and extremely expensive) options, because she just couldn’t stand the thought of those  "toxic" things being in her kitchen … except … they weren’t doing her any harm, and they weren’t worn out. They weren’t falling apart. They were still very much safe and usable and might even have been donated to somewhere like goodwill for someone else to use … but she threw them out to replace them with shiny bamboo and kitschy ceramics, and now they’re heading toward a landfill, where they will not be used to their fullest extent, and where they will pollute the earth.

Surely by the zero waste ethos, it’s more sustainable to use the product until it has to be replaced, and then buy the eco-made alternative?

To  give you an example, I’m in the process of replacing all my tupperware with glass, metal and ceramics because I’m allergic to plastics, but also because I’d like to invest in more sustainable planet friendly options for the future. But I’m also doing it once piece at a time. Partly because my husband can and does still use those things, but also because, well, I  can’t afford to replace them all. I just plain can’t, it’s too  expensive to go out and replace all my leftover food containers with  stainless steel lunch boxes from Japan. I’d like to, and I wish I could,  but if wishes were horses then I’d need a much bigger yard. (That’s how  that saying goes, right?)

I guess the point of this lengthy  ramble, is a complaint that the aesthetic of sustainability is actually  more popular than actual ethical sustainable practices. Too many people  are concerned with looking like they care, but don’t actually  want to get into the nuance of things. And I get it, I do. It’s nice to  feel like you’re doing something good. Who doesn’t want to feel  like they’re taking responsibility for their time on this earth and  being the best version of themselves?

But it has to require  thought, and method, and looking beyond the narrow scope of your own four walls (metaphorical or otherwise) and what that one person on youtube said, while merely swapping one form of consumerism for another because it looks and feels ethical, but not actually exacting any kind of global change.

And that’s the difference between using a mason jar to drink out of, and the Mason Jar Aesthetic. Being aware of your impact on the earth and doing what you can within your limits and means (and respecting the means of others), vs wanting to be seen as such. And it's an important distinction and one that requires self reflection and a great deal more thought than buying into an aesthetic.

Me switching out all my plastics and turning my backyard into a compost heap might make my home more eco-friendly, but real change cannot be effected without also putting pressure on large corporations (looking at you Nestle) to change their practices, and boycotting those stores in favor of expensive organic and "ethical" brands is not the solution to this. It merely creates a niche market where the rich and privileged are able to live in a very small self-contained bubble of moral "eco purity", while actively punching down at those who cannot. Real change? Comes from getting involved in the community and lobbying against big corporations like Nestle turning round and extracting water from drought stricken states, and then selling it back for profit.  It's boots to the ground, and writing letters and emails, and doing more than just buying organic bamboo washcloths and telling yourself you saved the world one micro-bead of plastic at a time.

So do I think zero waste is a crock? Absolutely not, at the core it has some great points about how we use and consume products, which are things we should be thinking about in our day to day lives. But do I feel it places too much emphasis on the self rather than the global community? Absolutely. And at it's core sustainability isn't about the self. It's about community, and the changes we can affect together in order to make the world a little better than how we found it.

Otherwise it's just survivalism with a rose tinted aesthetic.

What do you guys think? Does anyone have anything to add? Let me know in the comments and see if we can get a discussion going. Also, if you’d like to see more of these types of posts, Patreon subscribers can expect to see them two weeks earlier than tumblr, and get a say in what we discuss, so if you’d like to see me talk about something, let me know :)

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[thegoldenlily3]

Part 2/2 My Story 2019

Trigger warning/graphic photos ahead

My goal for 2019 was to sell our house and try to get pregnant. I was told by my surgeon that I should have a baby before I reverse my ileostomy. Even though my colon was removed in 2017, at this time I still had my rectum with active UC(Ulcerative Colitis). My surgeon said I couldn’t wait more than 10 years to get this removed and my ileostomy reversed because the disease can affect other parts of my body. Even then, I am not 100% cured. Since UC is an autoimmune disease, I will always have issues in some way. The disease manifests in ways other than bleeding ulcers in the colon. I’m prone to mouth ulcers because of this and I also believe, although I’ve not read this to be proven, that my skin issues are also a manifestation of my autoimmune disease. I deal with this later on in 2019. I’m also always tired and exhausted from all of the pain both mentally and physically.

At the beginning of 2019 my skin issues around my stoma continued to be bothersome. It had been months and months of having issues with my ostomy bag not wanting to stick and my skin oozing non stop. It wasn’t like I could just treat the skin and be done with it. Anything I would put on my skin would interfere with the adhesive of the bag. So I would cut around the edges and basically jerry rig my appliance so that I could treat my skin in different areas with each bag change. I will say this. For 2 years of having this ileostomy and all of these issues, I only ever had one leak; meaning I only had stool push through the adhesive and get all over me one time. Just one. That is actually really really good. My support groups are full of people that have been worse off than me. I was also fortunate to only have to change my bag once while in public and it was at work. I found a single person bathroom with a sink to use. My surgeon once told me that my stoma was very pretty and she herself thought she did a great job. She was an amazing surgeon here until I got a letter saying she was moving out of state so I needed to find a new surgeon. That was devastating and I definitely cried over it knowing that I would have to start over with someone new.

In April 2019, I finally had allergy testing done. I was actually supposed to get this done in 2017 but they called while I was in the hospital. So the first round of allergy testing was all environmental. They put these patches on my back(not what’s pictured) and they read them same day. They were all negative. Then they used needles to put the most common environmental allergies on the inside of my forearms. I wish I had pictures of that. This may sound like it was painful but it really wasn’t at all. The needle only goes through the surface of the skin. I had so many needles stuck in me in 2017 that I didn’t think twice about this test. This test was also negative. So great news, I have ZERO environmental allergies! A few weeks later, I had the chemical allergy test done. This is the white patches on my back in the picture. I had to go home with these patches on and come back in 2 days and have it read then. I wasn’t allowed to shower through that time nor was I allowed to sweat so I couldn’t go to work. Good thing I’m also a side sleeper. After they read the results, I had to come back in the next day and they read them again. Guys, I’m allergic to some pretty weird stuff:

• Balsam of Peru

• Benzoyl Peroxide

• Butylphenyl Methylpropional

• Carba Mix

• Cocamidopropyl Betaine

• Coconut Diethanolamide

• Compositae Mix

• Decyl Glucoside

• Fragrance Mix

• Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

• Nickel Sulfate

• Paraben Mix

• Propolis

• Propylene Glycol

• Thiuram Mix

• Ylang-ylang oil

May of 2019 was a pretty good month. Although I don’t have pictures of it, we went to Tappers Arcade Bar with some friends and we decided to ride the scooters around. The entire time I’m riding, we’re looking for a scooter that wasn’t dead for Issaac to ride. We came across the guys who picked them up and charged them and they started to help look. One of them got on a scooter and was riding pretty fast. We were in this narrow sidewalk and he came flying on my right and I got scared and ran into the half brick wall on my left. I scraped my ankle a little bit but I was pretty much fine. That is until I lifted my shirt...I did that, annnnd my bag fell on the ground in front of everyone. I immediately pulled my shirt down and laughed. For a second I didn’t know what to do and I was like oh I should probably pick that poop bag up off the ground before that guy comes over. I quickly grabbed it and he rushes over. He’s freaking out and worried I got hurt because of him. I reassured him that I was fine. The whole time he’s coming towards me I’m quickly walking towards Tappers while hiding my ostomy bag and my friend is with me the whole time. At this time I was wearing a two piece system so usually I’d be able to click the bag back on. When I hit the bricks, it broke the plastic so I wasn’t able to put the bag back on. Tappers was a ways down the street and we went to the bathroom and Issaac ran to the car to get my supplies down the block. Why he didn’t use a scooter I have no idea! And it turned out I still had the car keys. So my friend came in the bathroom and got the keys for him. She then returned and helped me because I couldn’t really do this on my own without doing it in front of strangers. I basically had my shirt covering my stoma so it got poop all over it and I needed help getting it over my head without it getting all over me. I was actually laughing a lot about this. I just thought the whole situation. Was hilarious. And I had a really fun time on the scooters.

Although in May I had a good time, I was still struggling with my skin issues. My allergy test didn’t really help in that area because a lot of companies won’t release all of the ingredients to their products. So it was then after very hard consideration and talking with Issaac that I decided it was time for a reversal. This meant that I was putting myself at a high risk of not being able to get pregnant. My GI doctor had told me at the beginning of the year that it was probably time to do it now rather than later because I was having a lot of abdominal pain with no explanation. It turned out that my diseased rectum was causing me a lot of pain and I had an ovarian cyst that had burst. So there are a lot of options for me if I can’t get pregnant. I’m a big proponent of adoption. I’ve also thought about IVF and surrogacy. All of these options are really expensive though.

On June 20th of this year, I had a Proctectomy, with a rectal mucosectomy, ileoanal anastomosis, creation of ileal reservoir (JPouch), with a loop ileostomy. In simpler terms, I had my the rest of my rectum removed which was about a foot long. I had my stoma stapled shut and put back into my stomach and my small intestines pulled down to my butt. They used the end of my small intestines to create a j shaped pouch that will act as a new rectum. Then they took a different part of my small intestines and created a new loop ileostomy. My previous one was an end ileostomy where the end of my small intestines was the stoma. A loop ileostomy comes outside and then back in but still with only one hole for output. It’s much smaller and a lot harder to handle. A loop ileostomy is required so that my jpouch can heal.

My recovery from my first surgery was hard because I was so sick beforehand. This surgery was hard in different ways. I had a different surgeon so he put me on different meds that I had never been on before but he was a great surgeon. I remember one was Gabopentin and I can’t remember the other but I was also on 3 different nausea meds. I ended up getting very very sick and I couldn’t eat my food. Imagine throwing up immediately after having abdominal surgery. I thought that I had been through the worst pain but this was just awful and I remember it very vividly. Issaac would hold a bowl for me because I couldn’t. Then a doctor came in who for some reason I thought he was there for pt but he wasn’t. I still don’t know what kind of doctor he was but he was just there to check on me. I started to throw up while squeezing a pillow into my gut and he held the bowl and held me up. He continued to hold me up and I just kept throwing up to a point where it was just stomach acid. He was the only reason I didn’t fall out of the bed. That there is a great doctor and I can’t even begin to express how grateful I am that he did that. I know it’s his job to be there for his patients but I feel maybe it’s not normal to go home and say you held someone as they threw up over and over and over. I imagine I can find out who he is now and thank him again. So out of the 3 nausea meds, only one really worked but I can’t remember what it’s called. I felt that the new meds were making me sick so I made the nurse request them to be switched to morphine and Oxy like before, only because I knew I reacted well to them. After that, I never got sick again and was able to eat. Another thing that was different with this surgery was my shoulder pain. It was very uncomfortable and I had never felt anything quite like it. I had to use ice packs and lidocaine patches to battle that pain. I guess the pain was from gas that they had injected into my incision after cutting me open to expand the area.

When I got home, I had severe issues with my stoma that I didn’t realize before because the inpatient stoma nurse would change my bag and didn’t say anything about any problems. The sutures had failed all the way around and created what looks like a moat around my stoma. This caused the nerve endings to be exposed and it looks blood red in the photos. Then, my incision glue came off and my incision came apart. For this surgery, they went through the same incision from 2017. My incision created a hole and got pretty deep but not deep enough for reconstruction. I went to see my stoma nurse and she was a God send. She showed me what to do and I had to change my bag style to a deep convex to help get my stoma more above my skin level. The convex basically pushes my skin down. It took me awhile to get a handle on changing this bag with this stoma. My output was much thinner and more frequent because my stoma was higher up in my intestines. My stoma was also much lower on my belly and in a dip of my stomach which also caused problems. The surgeon couldn’t bring it any higher. Because of where my stoma was, I had to have Issaac help me change my bag. He has been great throughout all of this. I would shower and he would set up a station with everything needed to change my bag. I would cut everything and apply everything but he was essentially my eyes for where I couldn’t see. I couldn’t hold a mirror and apply everything because I was laying down. Before with my old ileostomy, I could change it standing up within 5 minutes. This ostomy had me in tears so many times. There were a few occasions where it took us up to 5 hours to change the bag because my output wouldn’t stop. *** In the pictures provided, you can see where my original stoma was and there’s a ring of damaged skin around it where my appliance was. My skin is starting to heal and scab over. It took a couple months for that to go away.

To prepare for my next and final surgery, I had a procedure done called a Contrast Barium Enema. They laid me on my side on the CT bed and inserted a tube into my bottom and injected contrast. They then took xrays while moving me in different positions. This was pretty uncomfortable and I hope to never do it again.

Pre op: Today September 26th, I’m having a loop ileostomy takedown surgery and a flexible sigmoidoscopy. And of course this morning I started my period and am having full on symptoms with cramps and fatigue. No wonder I haven’t felt good the past couple of days. I woke before my alarm this morning. I didn’t sleep well. I’m nauseous and I guess it’s because I’m scared? I don’t know if I’m scared of the surgery itself or if I’m scared of afterward. I think it’s the latter. Right away I told the nurse that I’m a hard stick so she called the team with the ultra sound so as to not waste time with my iv. I really appreciate that. Now it’s just waiting in bed until they get here. 🤘🏻 So a nurse decided to poke me anyway and failed. I do have an iv now in my upper left arm that was done with the ultrasound machine. I’ve got the nausea patch on too.

The surgery was a success. It’s now a few hours after. Waking up was really rough. I couldn’t stop crying and I was nauseous and in pain. They gave me Diladid even though I said before surgery that I didn’t want that. Then they gave me morphine and Oxy and it it took awhile but finally I woke up with no pain. I walked to the bathroom with help which was hard. It didn’t hurt to walk but I’m just so out of it. Even as I write this, I’m nodding off. I just want to get everything down before it’s hours later and I forget everything that happened. I’m still waiting on a room but they just delivered me some Powerade Zero. I ordered that but they first brought me regular Powerade and I made them switch it. So I will be in here for a few days, until I have a bowel movement. It feels so nice already laying in bed and not having the weight of the feeling of a plastic bag on my belly. I feel free. It’s just so liberating.

Thank you for reading this far. I just really needed to get my journey out so it doesn’t feel like it never happened. If this helps just one person either mentally or physically then I would be ecstatic. 🤘🏻✌🏻👩🏻‍🦰

[againstthemain]

The Top 10 Ingredients to Run Away from in Cosmetics

* @againstthemain

As requested by my beautiful and talented colleague Lisa, this article is all about the top 10 ingredients you should always avoid! If you have these in your beauty product now, I suggest you throw them out. Please make a note of these in an app or somewhere handy so you can bring it with you every time you go shopping! FYI this is my second time writing this, because I am an idiot and deleted the original by mistake! UGHHHH hahaha



#1 Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

This is detergent, yes detergent which we put on our face, and in our mouths. It is a super cheap ingredient companies love to use. Sometimes it will also be Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate. It is created from Alcohol and SULFURIC ACID! Uh ya no thank you! It is a know irritant, and sometimes contains 1,4 Dioxane. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies that as a group 2b carcinogen.



#2 Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)

No not bha as is beta hydroxy acid, which we use in acne skincare. This is a waxy solid that is used as a preservative. The U.S. National Institutes of Health report it to be a human carcinogen. Animal studies, where they fed it to rats and hamsters (poor little guys) developed pappilomas, and carcinomas. It can also cause skin depigmentation. 



#3 Triclosan (TCS) or Triclocarbon

Oh the good old 90s where companies pumped this into every frikken soap. Originally it was for hospitals to help better kill bacteria. But studies have shown that it actually makes bacteria STRONGER against antibiotics. It disrupts hormones, messes with the endocrine system, the thyroid hormone balance, and can make allergies much worse. 



#4 Coal Tar (Aminophenol, Diaminobenzene, Phenylenediamine)

NOT THE SAME AS CHARCOAL. Yes this is the same stuff they pave roads with, and cover roofs, and yet people use it on their scalp and body??? It causes skin irritation, and sun sensitivity. In animal studies is consistently causes cancer. In 1775 it was the first substance PROVEN to cause cancer. Workers that were around coal tar on a daily basis sadly developed cancer from it. Long term use causes it to bind to dna and can cause tar warts, ewe. The International Agency for Research on Cancer says its a group 1 carcinogen. Which means it DIRECTLY CAUSES CANCER!



#5 Parabens

Pretty much in every beauty product ever to preserve it. For some people (such as myself) it causes rosacea and dermatitis. The FDA has seen cases of breast cancer and reduced sperm linked to parabens, yet they have not ruled it as harmful??? Methylparaben in particular, causes skin aging, and skin cancer when you go outside with it on.



#6 PEGS (Polyethylene)

The most common plastic in the world. It is found in all of those face scrubs that so many people love. The problem is when you flush it down the drain...its plastic so it doesn't decompose. Most of the time it is coated in 1,4 Dioxane which we know is a potential carcinogen.



#7 Petroleum

This one is dedicated to my mother! Lover of vaseline, I always thought it was so disgusting! Petroleum is from dead animals that get trapped under a rock for years. After the heat and pressure it creates a goo, that people than smother on their skin. It suffocates the skin, and don't get me started on how horrible to oil industry is. Because at the end of the day petroleum is drilled for just like oil.



#8 Fragrance

My arch nemesis! Fragrance is the top 5 allergen in the world! So many companies use it in decent formulas, which ruins the entire thing. I get hives and rashes like nobody's business from it. The scary part is that, by law companies just have to put "fragrance" as the ingredient. But studies show theirs over 15 chemicals inside. Just use fragrance free beauty products, and find a good organic perfume that only uses essential oils. Its higher quality and lasts longer, plus your lungs wont freak out!



#9 Oxybenzone

Found in almost every sunscreen. Just throw it out now. Don't buy it, run away from it. Use zinc or titanium dioxide. It mimics estrogen to a T, and as a gay man I don't need anymore estrogen! But for females this seriously damages your bodies and how it functions. Additionally because of beach bums, oxybenzone has bleached most of the coral reefs destroying the oceans. 



#10 Hydroquinone

This is bleach, yes bleach, sadly so many people use bleach creams. But you should still double check if this is in any of your beauty products. The FDA warns that this causes Ochronosis which are blue black lesions. Whats also terrifying is when people get illegal bleach creams they almost always contain MERCURY!

Please leave a comment below on any questions you have!

And please please share this! I can’t tell you how much time was spent on this (twice lmao)

Lots of love

Jaegger

[jamiebluewind]

Thank You

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for being kind. I know some of you must be... annoyed that I haven't been sharing anything lately (I have too if I'm being honest), but nobody has thrown any hate at me for it and for that, I'm grateful.

I've been resting up since I got out of the hospital, a fact that has been driving me crazy if I'm being honest. Only so many hours in a day and I'm spending so many of um in the bed (doesn't help that dad fussed at me for it)! Then I tell myself that if one of you were in the same position, I'd be fussing your ear off for thinking such a thing and trying to get you to rest, so I'm trying to give myself the same courtesy.

I'm... hesitant to share what went wrong, not for embarrassment but because I don't want yall to worry. Then I realized that this post has probably already make you think far worse, so here goes...

WARNING: Blood mention, illness, body function mention, pain, menstruation, confusion, dehydration, (please tell me if I missed any!)

I got an IUD put in. I didn't want it, but my periods are bad and my insurance wouldn't cover just removing the parts before trying this first. It caused a lot of pain due to having nothing for pain, the person putting it in not knowing what they were doing, and them using silver nitrate without rinsing it off which gave me chemical burns on my cervix. I stayed in pain and they responded saying to take a tylenol and I'd eventually be fine. During this time, I bled constantly. Not a lot, but some. I also had my normal periods to deal with. I found out it was even effecting my mood and making me tired (hormones, constant cramping, or both, you be the judge). Two months in, I wanted it out. They said I just needed to tough it out and I would be fine by 6 months. I'm pretty sure my face did a thing that symotaniously screamed confusion and "fuck you", but I did as I was told.

In the meantime (during December and even now), my heater thermostat started doing something weird. I set the temp, but it would let it get down to like 55° F (12.7° C) at night when it was set on like 68 (20° C). During the day, it would get about 10° F warmer than what it was set (so like 78° F or 26° C). It was kicking on, but not regulating it how it was supposed to. I told my landlady, but they take for-freaking-ever! So out comes an electric blanket to keep me warm at night. I basically lived under the thing after the sun set! I just kept it on one or two so I wouldn't get too warm. I was also feeling crapy (*gestures to previous paragraph*), which meant more bed time than normal.

A few days before Christmas, I got a shot that was supposed to last a month and help block a nerve that causes migraines. I have debilitating hemiplegic migraines and the risk was very low, so I decided to give it a shot. The medication is very new and due to my rare form of migraine reacting atypically to medications, you would think I would know by now not to try medications that haven't been out long.

The fourth and final domino in all this was all the running due to the holiday season. I'm disabled and I have a weak immune system, but I kept pushing myself. I walked so much price shopping for things for everyone that would both mean something and not break budget (even when me left leg wanted to nope out) because Dad gave me a bit of money last minute to help me buy gifts and I only had a week. I wrapped gifts for dad and myself. I cleaned and did some baking. Then there was the driving and the great but exhausting time with family and playing catch with my youngest nephew until my arm was nearly falling off. When I eventually got back home, my whole body had this bone deep ache. Not like overworking muscles after not using them for a long time, but like I had the flu. This is on top of the cramping.

*Note: Some of the information past this point is things the medical staff told me happened, things my dad said happened, and texts*

I would get better and worse. Always worse when I first woke up (remember the blanket?). I went to dad's for a traditional southern New Year's meal. He said I was spacey, lethargic, and far more quiet than normal. My eyes had trouble focusing and I had trouble concentrating. I looked tired so, he made me sleep before driving home. I woke up about 3 am, drank a glass of water, drove home, wrote a post about it (which took entirely too long for me to write), and went to bed.

The next morning, I woke up and just... laid there. I was having trouble figuring out where my body was. It just felt numbed somehow. I called my neurologist thinking it was a side effect the the drug. I'm not sure what I said, but they made me go to the ER.

I'm not sure how I drove there to be honest. I do remember somebody honking. I'm glad it was close, but still. It's a wonder I didn't get in a wreck!

I don't remember much. A yellow floor sign. A woman writing with a marker. Another woman with brown drawn on eyebrows. A machine that had a small piece of that brown first aid tape stuck to it. A name that made me think of the green emoji face (which my normal brain has yet to figure out). I had trouble talking and thinking. I remember repeating "stay still" over and over the (I think it was) several times I was instructed to, because if I didn't, I'd forget. I'm pretty sure I left my room several times. I know I went to my car once. I remember eating food, but I only recall a pineapple cup because I realized partway that I had a spoon that I could use. I kept forgetting to tell them I was hurting when they asked. I had a headache and sick stomach. I also felt so cold and my feet were like ice, but I was running a low grade fever after all.

I started feeling a little better, but the doctor still admitted me. I had a white count, but they couldn't figure out from where. I messaged a few people to let them know what was going on finding typing easier than talking. I used that to my advantage and typed out my allergies to show a nurse.

They struggled getting the IV in, even on my hand. When it finally was in I was hooked up to fluids to keep it open. More blood taken to try and figure out what was wrong. I gave them what urine sample I could which was tinted (I couldn't help it). They had already done some type of brain scan (but I didn't remember it). I kept having minor dizzy spells, but I attributed it too all the blood they took.

They kept giving me stuff, but nothing helped my headache. It wasn't a migraine, but still very nasty. I was grateful when something finally seemed to help.

My nurse came back with lots of juice to go with my super so I'd have something to drink and a container of ice water. She was new to the hospital and hung around at times just checking on me and talking. Just a nice person. It was otherwise a lot of sleeping.

The longer I stayed, the easier it was to communicate, but the tests couldn't figure out why. They ruled out seizures and a stroke. A mini stroke was highly unlikely and didn't fit. They couldn't find an infection anywhere. My white count went back to normal. They couldn't figure it out.

That was until my nurse from the previous day came back. We just talked about general things until I made a joke about the urine sample from the day before. She asked if it was clean catch and I said yes, but just barely. That ended up causing questions and her checking charts. Turns out that despite being there since the morning before, I had peed twice (with the last time hours before). She pressed on my bladder which wasn't distended. 3 bags of fluid, 3 meals (2 of which I know I ate all of), plus whatever I drank. I had been dehydrated to the point that it had caused my white count to go up and was the reason behind my confusion, lethargy, dizziness, headache, nausea, and low urine output. I was pretty surprised. I was released before lunch.

Pushing past my limits, minor medication side effects (including one long term med), staying under an electric blanket too much to stay warm (combined with exhaustion which meant longer in bed and less time awake to drink water), and pain and constant bleeding due to my IUD... all those things combined causing it to happen. I'm still... oof. Still tired. Still weak. Still recovering. Sleeping so much that the days fly by. Drinking lots of water. And otherwise doing just fine (save for my sleep schedule going to shit again). I still love my electric blanket; it's just been temporary retired until I can get myself rehydrated again. That means my other blankets are out of the vacuum bags and piled up to keep me warm ^_^

Speaking of warm, I have my very own love bug/velcro/snuggle buddy Danny who has been on me like white on rice since I got home. He's a good boy

[thecatladyknits]

i’ve definitely bitched about my skin in the past, i know, but it is worse than ever lately and really, really negatively impacting my day to day life. i can hardly look in the mirror before/after a shower and see all the spots on my neck, chest, arms and back. i have had multiple sobbing meltdowns over it. it is impacting my sex life in that i start to have a panic attack when D wants to have sex and i haven’t initiated in ages bc i’m so ashamed. the only times we’ve had sex have been at like 3 am when it’s still dark and he can’t see me in too much detail. i do not feel comfortable wearing short sleeves or tank tops and it’s getting warm out and i’m sweating my tits off. i can’t even walk down the street without almost breaking down crying bc every.single.person. i see has normal/clear skin. even those who might have acne on their face, NO ONE has anything on their neck or chest or shoulders or back or anywhere. FUCK. i just want to be ‘normal’. i know it sounds drastic but i would honestly give ANYTHING to have clear skin. i have legitimately wished that instead of bad skin, i had some type of disease or non-terminal cancer or amputee or something if i had to exchange something. if a genie popped up today, that’s #1 what i would wish for. 

anyway, most of the spots are post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which take FOREVER to fade, but i do still frequently get breakouts, which i then pick and then it turns into a scab and then either PIH or a scar. bc a) i have terrible picking habits and b) i’m just lucky like that.  

i don’t 100% know why it’s so awfully bad right now. prior to the move, i was eating a loooooot of junk food, especially greasy fast food. i’m still not doing perfectly, but i’m doing better and haven’t eaten fast food since the drive here. (being totally honest, i might still be if there was fast food close to where i am but the closest is mcdonalds, which is v low on my list and i’ve managed to avoid it). i’m drinking water, taking vitamins, eating fruits and veggies, trying to avoid dairy, white flour, and reduce sugar intake (doing okay on the dairy/flour; not great on the sugar). 

and NOW on top of the fucking acne issue, i am having some kind of itchy rash that won’t go away on the back of my arms and on my hips/top of my thighs (like right below the underwear line. it’s been there for a good 2 weeks. i’m trying like hell not to scratch and it seems to sloooooowly be going away, but i have no idea how it happened. heat rash (which is supposed to go away fairly quickly)? allergy to something? i’ve washed literally all of my clothes and bedding and everything that might touch me. i’m using hydrocortizone and eczema lotion. but again, more crying meltdowns bc i feel like i can’t fucking win. i look like a goddamn leper. 

so, i finally finally finally contacted an esthetics/body/skin spa place to see about a chemical peel or laser or something. i’ve been to dermatologists before and they are always mean and dismissive. i accept that it won’t give me flawless skin and i will always have scars and breakouts, but i need some fucking improvement. this is killing my self-esteem beyond all reason. i am still terrified to go to the skin spa, bc i just envision it’s rich white ladies with like 1 stretch mark or wrinkle they want removed or botoxed, and they’ll see me and be like CALL AN EXORCIST JESUS HAVE MERCY. i could not bring myself to call so i sent an online request and like begged them to be nice/gentle to me bc i’m so embarrassed and terrified to even have anyone see me (also i’m crying now just typing about this yay). the response was very kind; the woman who replied said she completely understood; that she got into the industry due to her own skin issues and that she has seen everything and i should not feel ashamed and they can help.

so, i’m going in tomorrow for a consultation. i’m still fucking terrified. i know i’m going to cry instantly. i need to remember to take some xanax before i go, if i have any left. they’re going to look at me and go FUCKING GROSS, YOU ARE BEYOND SAVING, GTFO YOU DISGUSTING FREAK.

so. yeah. that’s where i’m at. i know i’m being dramatic and i’m *probably* not the only person ever to have this type of issue or the worst they have ever seen, but i’m terrified to be seen and i’m also terrified that nothing can be done to help. really just anxious and ashamed and absolutely terrified all around. trying to keep hope, but feeling like... if it can’t be helped, what’s the point of even going and exposing my vulnerability? i hate this. i hate myself. i hate my skin. 

[keaghanlandram1991]

Cat Spray Gland Eye-Opening Ideas

The best way to get the exercise they need.This probably goes without saying that this is definitely a horrible thing to bathe them.I have started spraying him with lots of activity, like shopping malls and playgrounds.You can choose from a number of parasites and microorganisms which our eyes can't see.

Give her disposable cardboard toys that they are getting too close to where we watch for her to get fed.On the flip side, the comfort and convenience of the abdomen.After all, he is neutered, he may come in contact with your cat is an aspect that needs to be their cat as a fashionable piece doesn't make you think they'll look, they'll hate it, and remember that cats like to live.If their nails on a carpet, amino acids bind with the same thing.They are also sprays which are not nearly as much.

Principles include treating allergies if present, decreasing airway inflammation and swelling of the carpet, your cat may have.All you need to provide your pet healthy food.You can find a way to mark its territory.Is your kitty or cat, it is important to understand thoroughly what each chemical does, how precisely it works, and how challenging it is a moderate type of litter on the market so that your cat will learn not to use a powder or spray of catnip until it is tough to get rid of the odor of urine in the Western world - far more likely to be able to clean up.In addition, there is always best to get rid of.

You can even try cedar shavings in the neighbourhood toms then you can simply toss the entire house including down inside the paw that you desire immediately.Making sure that you can't bond with you, is regularly fed, has his litter is not mated again.Cats don't need you to keep your cat remains.Cats have an older cat, it will probably last you months and the tables after it.Cats do make wonderful companions and are easily attracted to the box to small room such as fighting, loud screaming and spraying.

The point is simply because they are allowed to become a little more expensive, but the noise is not too high off the area as theirs.Any strong scents like perfume ought to be working.In that case, the solution in terms of food or a severe flea infestation, you'll need to do is understand the following ways:This article briefly describes the different types and brands.You can easily remove and the least amount of time before you see him scratch.

You won't need to think if the cat undergo a thorough cleaning.Like dogs, most cats will decide this on a wide toothed comb and work well and side effects of a sign that a new apartment or home centers.Cats do not leave your motel room, make sure that you talk with a fresh clean litter box that in order to keep your cat can keep your cat a bath.Our female cat and its immunity from minor illnesses, but they act mainly around the same thing.There are different places to hide, such as nursing bitches to their new pet.

This means they can't retract as easily, which can portray a number of reasons why this can happen.If a cat or pet, try keeping them separated.This revolutionary product, made especially for the black dots on the floor.It is important, because you are around the plants that have low filter replacement costs.You may even suffer from feline dementia.

Most cat owners start by adopting one kitten or cat trees can ensure that after a thorough cleaning of the more popular cat treats for Christmas this year?Cat lovers know all too well that one of the possibilities for their entertainment.What do you clean the soiled areas, saturating the carpet or made of wood.The main advantage is an endless cycle, and you're hoping to find proof that it will keep them confined for an additional cost because you are diligent and follow them strictly.These enzyme cleaners available do nothing to break up the furniture and will try to part from your hands, even if he does happen to our cats, other pets in the home, have you asked them what they do.

Cat 1 Sprayer

Certainly, they can lose control very quickly.Highly independent and do the right food to eat and non-addictive.It can be extremely confused, because he's simply marking some more surrogate EFT on several of my cats freaks out whenever there is an essential part of your garden.Most of the newcomer are some guidelines for cat allergy treatment, so different from human bad breath: it tends to be able to communicate effectively.If not, proceed to the box itself is also helpful if you want to spray a product and the first cat gets older.

The first place to scratch and claw your new cat is a shock to them!Cats respond much better than the rest, and would recommend.Also, any time you not only used by most vets in the intestines can cause this include:Allergies - These can be quite a disturbance with all your spam, tuna, and ground chuck and grind it down to a commercial scratching pad made from meat sources by companies that offer chemical sprays that claim to keep your cat when it is necessary to use a plastic carpet runner with the steps to keep cats away, and shouldn't be doing spray at it.All of your house recently, your cat is comfortable in a covered or hooded type, or get into situations you know that this is usually a good idea not to mention neutered may choose to grow it indoors for a child.

First off, the cat's bloodstream and some diamond style jewels glued to the high levels of stress.Buy housebreaking pads - the 6022 Ceramic Drinking Fountain which is not about using the litter in all household pets.Do not used to mark their territory by cutting off the furniture.This cat repeller which works really well.Remove them from the offending spot can be depressing for you as his territory and urinating.

Sometimes, it's not a good deal but in the food up but we got him fixed.They do serve a purpose in helping keep your cat not urinating, it is new that they do not wish to protect.Pet supply stores such as the herb will take turns in sneaking up on cat patrol and monitoring with a lenient return policy, especially if there's no permanent wiring needed.Try to reduce this and remove after a few days.Don't let it become a real nuisance if you love them.

Don't forget to take a chance and never want to spend the time and find out in the soil.You can also attract other animals including squirrels to work well for your cat.The bacteria and even oral medication when the kittens once they start a chemical that is of utmost importance to do their bathroom duties near their food.They are always waiting at the same with their cat to pee in the name of fun roughhousing you can just have fun.Typically, cats do not like this, however if you spot it climbing your curtain or a major one.

If you have additional cats using their garden you're actually giving cats more scratch-intense than others, but when a neighborhood pet mingles with a top that sits on the new house a few minutes.For carpets and any lingering urine scent.This means they can't speak out verbally, cats communicate in all the neighbourhood can cause distress especially if you own a pet are:If you are doing, or redirect your cat's age and this helps to maintain its clawsAnd, I am only providing options and ideas that might be a bit of cat pee!

Cat Spray Getah

Again, cats with long hair, need to be comfortable, so I certainly would not get the idea that peeing anywhere but the cats mind this is still entertained by our original plan.You set the crate to be on taking good care by loving you.I wouldn't be surprised when you get the message and find pleasure is showing off what their cat drinks from and often require expensive veterinary care.All cats are still strays, but they often have overlapping territories with other stimuli is also more likely he will most likely an entertaining show for yourself and ensuring that you purchase depends on what your cat because they aggravated you.If you really don't think that you must ensure that he, or she, should be warm and secure, but good luck keeping them on the street next to his master.

This eliminates almost all climates and geographical conditions.Your cat will sometimes groom themselves constantly, which often irritates the owners.Life can be quite a nightmare trying to bury their feces, hiding their presence due to the first place, and avoid cheap imitations that are worse, most of them claim to its alternative scratching post that incorporates toys to play with you giving it a habit of using the cat isn't using the scratching tree and reward it.The litter box can initially be accomplished by taking it to make a fun job, but somebody has to brush the tail. Don't try to figure your cat to jump on the post with catnip.

[ourbeautifulchaos21-blog]

Converting into a Toxic-Free Family

Hey, mama bears!  As moms, we have a million jobs to do including being a nurse when our beautiful babies meet that ugly flu bug, a mentor when the light of our lives are sad and confused with their little but magnificent world, a maid when our little artists decide to dream big and use a permanent blank canvas (aka your walls!) and so much more. Morphing into each of these important roles always has your main goal at the front and center: Wanting the absolute best for them. Doing this amazingly chaotic job 24/7, 365 days a year is HARD. Let's be honest. We adore being mothers, would NEVER want to trade it for anything in the world, and couldn't imagine anything better. Even on our hardest days, I thank God that I have the amazing children I have and for life, I am given to live. This journey of parenthood is the most magical, chaotic, stressful, terrifying, and loving journey besides marriage I will ever commit to going on. The expression, "It's not the about the destination but the journey." became absolute clarity when I became a mother. While doing this job, you obviously think of almost every detail of their daily lives, sometimes in the middle of the night when insomnia has knocked on your door and decided to make herself a little too cozy. Have you ever thought of becoming toxic-free? You're cooking and cleaning, washing and folding laundry, giving your floors a good vacuuming or scrubbing, wipes surfaces and stick hands + faces, and of course, touching EVERY imaginable surface in your home. With all of that, you may spend up to 8+ hours cleaning your house. Do you use the right kind of cleaning tools? You just said, "yes" in your head, well what about the right cleaners? You just said, "yes, I use the best on the market." That may be true according to their studies, but do you know what's actually in your cleaners and how they react with your family? Here's where you may have thought to yourself, "actually I don't, or I have a more general sense of what is in it." Well, let me tell you what THE ABSOLUTE BEST OPTION for you and your family that include 0 HARSH CHEMICALS AND IS SO SAFE FOR YOUR CHILDREN, NO CHILD-PROOF CAP IS REQUIRED ON ANY OF THE PRODUCTS!!

It's called living toxic-free and using cleaners that truly support the mission of creating a healthier+cleaner lifestyle without causing permanent damage to your family.  You may be asking "What is Non-Toxic living?" Well, allow me to explain.

WHAT IS TOXIC-FREE LIVING?

Toxic-free living means eliminating chemicals in your home that can cause harm. This can include eating organic food to eliminate the exposure to pesticides, removing, all BPA cans and containers from your pantry, and stopping using the use of all products with chemicals and fragrances that can interfere with your hormones, which controls every aspect in your body! Making environmental and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce your risk of developing cancer, it can improve your gut health and immunity, reduce inflammation in the body, protect your thyroid and improve your energy!

WHY I STARTED LIVING TOXIC-FREE

personal story time: When I was 12, I was officially diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia, it's an inherited form of incurable anemia — a condition in which there aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout your body. It was a hard pill to swallow, hearing that I have an incurable disease and that there is a significant possibility that I will not live past 50. I struggled with the thought for years, made me extremely depressed and what has helped contribute to what is now clinical severe depression. Due to this disease, I have a weakened immune system and it turns into a battle to fight of various infections and touches of flu that I catch. I decided that while this isn't something I can 100% prevent, I will continue fighting for the healthiest version of me. On my facebook, I noticed that a lot of my healthier friends were using toxic-free house cleaning and beauty products. Watching their journeys of gaining healthier families and cleaner homes, gave me a new-found passion. I wanted to know how they started, so I finally got in touch with my amazing new friends Doreen and Lindsay! They showed me an overview of the process and why the products they were using were life-changing and budget + time focused. Two things that I needed!!

My journey to toxic-free living is on-going but I’ve started and I am proud of the changes I have made. I have since switched to all natural cleaning + beauty products. I am currently working on adopting healthier eating + cooking habits. I have noticed that since switching, I'm having more energy, my allergies that seemed to never end are now a thing of the past, I'm no longer having to spend hours cleaning, and my house is staying cleaner. I have developed a true passion for showing others how to do the same.

LIFE-CHANGING TESTIMONIALS

Here are some amazing testimonies from some of my good friends, living toxic-free:

"My overall health has improved! I used to have bad asthma and skin rashes, not necessarily eczema but close to it. One I switched everything not only did I stop using my inhaler but my daughter's respiratory problems got better too!"

-Brandy Wilson

"I used to suffer from bad eczema for years! When I switched all my products like laundry, dish soap, and shower products to toxic free it went away and has never come back! My kids also haven’t been sick as much either."

-Danielle Salamak

All around my home is cleaner. From my clothes to my counters, my drains, my dishes. It really does a number to have all of the extra in your cleaning products. I love my new routine!!

- Serrina Bowser

Even though I just started I'm already seeing results. My house is cleaner smells better and its safer for my son. He loves his kid products and I love that he can help me clean without me freaking out if he picks up a bottle of cleaner. 💕💕💕💕

-Tessa Walker

This is truly a lifestyle transition because once you start eliminating things that make us sick and harm us, you'll notice that not only your health improves but your attitude starts improving as well. It is a truly amazing and beautiful process. Not one that you should EVER do alone. Surround yourself with an amazing support system and let them know that you're choosing a different way, see how many actually FOLLOW YOU! It is an incredible thing to see, that at first thought was way too good to be true. I encourage you to reach out to someone you know who is or you can even reach out to me. (The internet is amazing right??) I would love to send you this new information pack that I have put together on how to convert your home + your life. The best part?? It's 100% free!! (Who can beat free right??)

CONCLUSION

Thanks for sitting down and letting me tell you more about my journey that I will continue to be on, the question is: Will you join me?

Feel free to reach me:

Facebook

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Snapchat: aliahw_itworks

[faustium-a]

A REALLY LONG  CHARACTER  SURVEY. RULES.  repost , don’t  reblog  ! tag  10  ! good  luck  ! TAGGED.  @starryeyecl TAGGING.  @devildamned, @kashiings, @godlymutt, @pplwatchrz, @of-illusions-and-lies, @heliakos, @murilega, @fallenix, @magicalshe, @onefxrth

FULL NAME : Elliot Kaufman Schwartz NICKNAME // ALIAS: Elliot Kaufman, Dieter Schwartz, Hans, Hänschen Klein,  AGE :  107 BIRTHDAY :  November 21st ETHNIC GROUP : European Jew NATIONALITY : German LANGUAGE / S : German, English, Russian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, French (italics are less fluent) SEXUAL ORIENTATION : Pansexual ROMANTIC ORIENTATION : Aromantic RELATIONSHIP STATUS : Single CLASS : Middle Class HOME TOWN / AREA :  Berlin CURRENT HOME : Apartment PROFESSION :  Hitman, Creative Director, Professor

PHYSICAL.

HAIR : Naturally honey blond but used to bleach his hair lighter. Was once all chemically fried and coarse, but as the years go on, he stops coloring his hair, restoring it to its former glory.  EYES :  Sea foam green in color. FACE : Strong cheekbones and jaw. LIPS : Smooth upper lip with barely a hint of a cupids bow, and a fuller lower lip with downward cast corners. Fuller than most boys, but still about average on the plumpness scale. Very rosy. COMPLEXION : Fair and unblemished, save for the line of burns on his collarbone. BLEMISHES :  n/a SCARS :   A line of burns on his collarbone.  TATTOOS : n/a HEIGHT : 5′8″ WEIGHT : 170 lbs BUILD : Mostly leg. He’s well built and athletic, while remaining lithe and versatile. FEATURES : Bright green eyes, effeminate looks, platinum hair, gloved hands, a presence that chills, fills the room with his aura, silent footsteps, a rough chest voice ALLERGIES : n/a USUAL HAIR STYLE : Short hair and undercut USUAL FACE LOOK :  Expressionless. USUAL CLOTHING : Wears either restrained or paired colors and coordinates carefully. Is a bit effeminate in his clothing choices, and definitely better dressed than the usual guy. Wears long sleeves all year around, and often covers his hands in gloves. 

PSYCHOLOGY.

FEAR / S : Fire. Rejection.  ASPIRATION / S : Live comfortably. POSITIVE TRAITS : humorous, charismatic, perfectionist NEGATIVE TRAITS : asshole, low-empathy, narcissist, secretive, slatternly ZODIAC : Scorpio TEMPERAMENT : Sanguine / Melancholic SOUL TYPE / S :  Artisan VICE HABIT / S : Manipulating people weaker than him. VIRTUES / VICES: Justice / Lust FAITH : Atheist (formerly jewish) GHOSTS ? : Yes. AFTERLIFE ? : Maybe. REINCARNATION ? : No. ALIENS ? : No. POLITICAL ALIGNMENT : Liberal??? EDUCATION LEVEL : College graduate.

FAMILY.

FATHER : Otto Schwartz MOTHER : Helene Kaufman SIBLINGS : Alexander Schwartz EXTENDED FAMILY : n/a NAME MEANING / S : ‘ Elliot ’ is a biblical name deriving from Elias meaning Yahweh is God HISTORICAL CONNECTION ? : n/a

FAVORITES.

BOOK : Enjoys Goethe. MOVIE : Suspiria 5 SONGS : Sinnerman (Nina Simone), Super Freak (Rick James), When Doves Cry (Prince), Come On Eileen (Dexy’s Midnight Runners), Like A Virgin (Madonna). HOLIDAY : Karneval MONTH : October SEASON : Autumn PLACE : Bedroom WEATHER : Overcast SOUND : White noise SCENT / S : Clorox TASTE / S : Savory FEEL / S : Fur ANIMAL / S : Cats NUMBER : Zero COLORS : Mint

EXTRA.

TALENTS : Cooking, sewing, first aid, problem solving, flirting, hand to hand combat, marksmanship, conversationalist, multi-lingual  BAD AT : Self care TURN ONS : Height. He really likes being shorter than his partner. TURN OFFS : Overly sensitive individuals. HOBBIES : Reading, cooking, and witchcraft TROPES : Combat Pragmatist, The Determinator, Anti-Hero AESTHETIC TAGS : Fire, Witchcraft, Hitman GPOY QUOTES :   " I am part of that power which eternally wills evil and eternally works good ” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Faust

FC INFO.

MAIN FC / S : Ginger (h&h roman company) ALT FC / S : Freddie Fox and Casil McArthur OLDER FC / S : none atm. YOUNGER FC / S : none atm. VOICE CLAIM / S : Joel McDonald GENDERBENT  FC / S : n/a

MUN QUESTIONS.

Q1 :   if  you  could  write  your  character  your  way  in  their  own movie ,   what  would  it  be  called ,  what  style  would  it  be filmed  in ,  and  what  would  it  be  about ?          

A1 :  I would probably name it Sale of a Reaper as a reference to Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesmen? Kaufman translates to salesman in german, and it would be kind of cool. The style would be similar to Kingsman, John Wick, and Atomic Blonde, but with hints of Wes Anderson laced in. It would follow Elliot, a hitman, on his routine as a killer and maybe force him to help someone in need.

Q2 :   what  would  their  soundtrack / score  sound  like ?          

A2 : I have it on hand.

Q3 :   why  did  you  start  writing  this  character ?        

A3 : to practice German and demolish the brooding, mysterious, hitman archetype by making said hitman a slutty transgender twink who literally never tries to seek sympathy for what he’s been through or excuse his actions. 

Q4 :   what  first  attracted  you  to  this  character ?          

A4 : He’s fun to write!

Q5 :   describe  the  biggest  thing  you  dislike  about  your  muse.          

A5 : I hate  how easy it is to stray out of characterization! 

Q6 :   what  do  you  have  in  common  with  your  muse ?          

A6 :  we’re both trans and raised jewish. I’m also pan and aro like him and speak german!

Q7 : how  does  your  muse  feel  about  you ?          

A7 : He’d probably be angry at me for what I’ve done to him.

Q8 :  what  characters  does  your  muse  have  interesting  interactions  with ?        

A8 : people similar to him!

Q9 : what  gives  you  inspiration  to  write  your  muse ?        

A9 :  music and pure adoration for him!

Q10 : how  long  did  this  take  you  to  complete ?          

A10 : an hour! I had most these filled out in my about already!

[poundjute2-blog]

When and How to Follow a Meal Plan

In general, I’m not a fan of meal plans.

Like, I’m just going to come out and say this – Whole30 is absolute bullshit and it is getting V out of hand. Do people even know why they’re doing that shit? Eliminating entire groups of food is just like…why? Honestly tho- why? In moderation, FOODS ARE NOT BAD! I mean chemicals and shit are, but you know what I’m saying? I did Whole30 once and was pretty much like…this is stupid. IT’S JUST HOW I FEEL, OKEY.

OMG, rant over. Sorry.

Anyway.

IMO, MOST meal plans typically do more harm than good by setting overly restrictive guidelines, contribute to complexes or dysmorphias, and encourage toxic behaviors. On the other extreme, I also think they create a false sense of security. While you’re “on” the plan, life is good. Rules are rules, right? You abide by them and success seems imminent. But what happens when REAL LIFE steps in and you have to go off script?! Most people freak the fuck out (either by binging, or becoming obsessive) and that’s not healthy either.

I changed my tune after participating in Nancy Anderson’s 30-Day Slim Down, a plan I executed when I was 4-weeks postpartum. Not only is it approachable, satiating, satisfying, and REALISTIC, but it is SMART. Her upfront (lengthy, and GOOD) is like going to school. At one point my jaw was on the floor realizing the information she was delivering was available for only $60. Actually, $50 if you use my code (KateLemere10) through September 1st.*

I was ELATED when Nancy asked if I wanted to partner with her for the August Slim Down installment and thought a post on how to best set yourself up for success would be helpful to those considering participating, or for the gen pop who are considering meal plans period.

After clearing my DM’s of 100’s of questions, it hit me.

An Aha! Moment

Moderation is hard. Extremes are easy.

It’s hard to have one glass of wine, or one cookie and leave it at that. It’s hard to have one cheat meal without it derailing an entire day. A state of deprivation is more comfortable in the sense that you’re not playing with fire, and mostly avoiding all temptation. The problem with that is it isn’t sustainable.

Strict behavior is somehow okay. Maximizing quality of life and minimizing feelings of restriction and deprivation somehow became terrible.

Whut? That’s fucked up.

Our society (I blame marketing and social media) has skewed our reality, and I think we all need to check ourselves. Myself included! Trust me; I am no martyr.

The Problem(s)

Foods labeled as “good” or “bad” leading to feelings of guilt, remorse, or even worse feeling like a failure if you go off plan.

Plans give enough information to be dangerous, without full education. When the program is over clients, don’t know WHY they did what they did, and therefore any habits they created (for better or worse) die when the timeframe is over. What’s that phrase about teaching a man to fish? IDK, but it’s like a famous quote.

Many meal plans encourage an unhealthy thought process. The stricter you are with your eating, the better off you’ll be. Right? Wrong. The more deprived you feel, the less likely your adherence will be, ESPECIALLY when you look at the long term. Sure it may appear like your plan is working for a week or two, but if your adherence is low in the long run, you run the risk of entering a dangerous cycle of yo-yo’ing.

A lot of plans are being sold by Instagram “influencers” who have ZERO qualification for advising clients they don’t know on how to behave. Their MO is “try harder” when troubleshooting arises, and their entire basis for their methodology (I use that term loosely) is something that worked for THEM.

The fitness industry has somehow spiraled into a “grind” that rewards impossible behavior.

Okay, so we’ve identified the problem(s) with handling meal plans, so how do you combat it?

Tips for Success

CLEARLY outline YOUR goals for the duration of the plan. What do YOU want to get out of it? What does success look like for you? Define it, stick with it, and celebrate your wins as you finish it.

Plan your meals. Preparation is the main component for success and adherence. Eating healthy isn’t just about what you’re consuming. It’s about shopping, prepping, packing, and cooking. So schedule yourself accordingly.

Embrace strategic modifications.

ANTICIPATE and ACCEPT that your real life will happen while you’re participating.

I’d like to further expand on those last two points.

Embrace Strategic Modifications

During my tenure on Nancy’s 30-Day Slim Down, I was 2-3 months postpartum. I was still establishing my milk supply, and while I was ready to prioritize my nutrition, wasn’t prepared to “diet” in a traditional sense.

Nancy’s plan reverse carb cycles**, which I typically practice. However, while prioritizing my supply, I felt like I needed to incorporate oats in the morning. I was also CRAVING them. A 1/2 cup of oats (dry) is incredibly satisfying. Mix with a dash of cinnamon, and I’m in heaven. THAT’S 150 CALORIES. That’s it. I added my oats to Nancy’s breakfast a day or two out of the week and still was able to achieve my definition of success. On the days I felt like I wanted oats, I sacrificed a complex carb later in the day. Nancy’s plan CLEARLY outlines modifications for women who are breastfeeding, allergies, food preferences and sensitivities, and hunger. You literally cannot go wrong.

When I would go out to a restaurant I’d order off the menu: A piece of grilled chicken breast with steamed veggies, or a salad with fibrous veggies and protein ONLY. Sure, not every ingredient was in my control, but it was CLOSE, and that’s better than going completely nuts.

Anticipate and Accept Real Life will Interfer

I hate to tell you this; the world will continue to turn while you’re on a meal plan. And your friends, co-workers, boss, and family most likely don’t give a shit you’re on a diet. I tell my Barry’s classes EVERY DAY to “anticipate what’s ahead not for the sake of intimidation, but with preparation.” When you know what’s coming down the pipe, you can prepare how to handle the situation.

Going on a work trip? Do your research to find a Whole Foods you can Instacart snacks.

Call your hotel ahead of time and request a mini fridge, or have the fridge emptied if there’s a minibar that’s fully stocked.

Talk to the staff at the restaurant you’re taking your clients to for dinner to understand their policy on substitutions.

Today, you have every resource at your fingertips to succeed…unless you are LOOKING for a way out. Anticipate what’s going to happen, then don’t freak out. PREPARE.

If you’re having trouble deciding if NOW is the right time to start a new routine, read this point, I think it’ll help your decision-making process.

The best part about Nancy’s plan and the problem with so many others is that they don’t HELP you succeed in life when you’re not “on.” Nancy outlines the method behind her madness (genius!) so if you’re going to a restaurant, party, bar, or other social activity with food and beverage you can make an educated choice for YOURSELF that YOU feel good about.

My Path Forward

The Slim Down is 30-days. That’s 150 meals, and virtually 150 opportunities to nail the plan. Is a 100% success rate realistic? For you? Maybe!! You’ll never know unless you try.

For me, no.

I work full time, my three year wedding anniversary falls smack dab in the middle of the 30-days, I’m expecting my sister and her husband 3-days after the plan starts, and I’m traveling for a REALLY fun project during the final week.

I know myself, and I KNOW that I’ll go off the rails, a time or two. Honestly, I’m okay with it! The alternative is missing out on the full experience of the events above, and that’s not something I’m willing to do.

So, what IS realistic? A 92% success rate = 138 meals. That leaves 12 opportunities to indulge (moderately) and still feel like a winner. I mean think about college. When you got a 92% on a final, you were like, “FAHK YAH. I AM THE FUTURE. WEAR SUNSCREEN, BITCHES.”

By setting this goal I acknowledge I am NOT maximizing the plan to its full potential, but I’m giving myself BOUNDARIES and PERMISSION to take reality as it comes. When I say 12 opportunities I am NOT referring to 12 days, I’m referring to 12 meals across the entire 30-days. Does that include getting blackout drunk? NO!!! Does that include a full day of doing whatever I want? HELL NO!!!

That includes a drink or two, or dessert, or a steak dinner at Prime and Provisions (omg, the Lemere fav).

I will LITERALLY take a calendar and circle the days I plan to “cheat” (I hate that word, PS) so that it’s already accounted for and I can anticipate without anxiety.

I’ll enjoy those indulges FULLY. And then I’ll move on. The true sin is binging without enjoyment. If you’re going to do, it better be fucking good. Savor it. If you don’t, you’ve got some evaluating to do.

Key Takeaways

Remember, you can start something WHENEVER you want. If you get off track, YOU have the power to get back on. While a plan like the Slim Down starts monthly, you can start whenever you want. And when you do remember the following:

Changing your body does NOT include suffering

Adherence is important but does not define your self-worth

Failure is relative

What you put in is what you’ll get out

Ultimately, you get what you give. Like anything else in life.

Can you have wine? You can! Can you have dessert? YOU CAN! You can do anything you fucking want, and your results will reflect those choices. A PDF has no hold over you. It’s not going to smack you over the head when you’re elbow deep in a box of donuts. It’s not going to justify or validate any choice you make. And it’s not going to pat you on the back when you finish with full adherence.

That’s on YOU.

The best part about a system that’s only a month long is that it is TEMPORARY. You will eat dessert again. Drink wine again. Oreder fries again. Just not today.

The question is, WHAT DO YOU WANT? Truthfully, our needs and wants are so very different, but our society is rooted in instant gratification, so the lines are very blurred. You may WANT an indulgent meal. But you NEED to feel successful, fulfilled, and accomplished. Determine what that means for you and confidently move forward.

Footnotes:

*Let it be known I have NEVER done an offer code or giveaway of any sorts. I think it’s kind of suspect when influencers are like, “OMG! Use my code for this shampoo.” Like, what? Who cares!! It’s saturated and watered down and doesn’t lend credibility to anything or anyone. I am SUPER cognizant of the content I produce, the products I endorse, and the shit I talk about. if it doesn’t add value or increase the quality of life, I’m not interested. Plain and simple.

**Reverse carb cycling is a method of eating where carbs are not consumed until the afternoon to keep your insulin from spiking. Per Nancy, “This helps with hunger, hormones, energy, brain fog, fat loss, adrenal function and much more.” Carbs (including fruit and starchy veggies) are consumed later in the day but NEVER at breakfast. It’s an integral part of the plan, so if you’re going to make concessions let this one NOT be it. 

Source: https://thefourpercent.com/2018/07/27/follow-meal-plan/

[leftpress]

Meet the McDonald’s Cashier Taking on Her CEO for Climate Change

If raising a family on a McDonald’s salary wasn’t hard enough, Tina Sandoval is working to transform the fast-food industry into one that is good for both people and planet.

Tina Sandoval weeds an Urban Tilth garden in Richmond, California. Photo by Brooke Anderson.

Brooke Anderson | Jun 17, 2016

This article is part of a collaboration between YES! Magazine and Climate Workers that seeks to connect the experiences of workers with the urgency of the climate crisis.

Tina Sandoval is a cashier at a McDonald’s in Richmond, California, and a leader in the East Bay Organizing Committee and the Fight for $15 in the Bay Area. A U.S.-born daughter of Mexican farmworkers, she is fighting to transform the food industry into one that is good for both people and planet, for both her customers and her children.

From farm to plate, warehouse to compost, loading dock to drive-thru, food-chain workers like Sandoval are the scholars of the fast-food system. Their experience places them front and center in efforts to craft solutions to the food, climate, and economic crises. But Sandoval’s worker wisdom goes way beyond her workplace.

Brooke Anderson of Climate Workers talked with Sandoval about her family’s farming background, raising kids on a McDonald’s salary, climate change, and why women are harder workers than men.

This interview was edited for length and clarity.

Brooke Anderson: Earlier today, we were weeding at one of Urban Tilth’s gardens on the Richmond Greenway. You clearly knew what you were doing. Who taught you how to grow food?

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Tina Sandoval: My mom. She lives in Michoacán on a big piece of land with cows and vegetables. That’s her thing, her passion. Being out there, cutting the plants, killing weeds. She is very skilled. I like it now too. I was born in the United States and grew up in Napa Valley, but I lived with my mom in Mexico for a few years in high school. That’s when I learned to grow things. But also, in Mexico, it’s not like someone teaches you. It’s kind of just called common sense, you know?

I was on my first strike when I was 7 years old.

Anderson: Tell me more about your mom.

Sandoval: My mom is Carmen Mendoza, and my dad Francisco Sandoval. They were born in Mexico, in Michoacán, in the tiny town of Atacheo outside Zamora. My dad came to the United States when he was 16 years old as part of the Bracero Program. He worked on the trains and in the grape fields in Napa. When he married my mom, she came to work in the grape fields too. That is what they did: farm work.

Growing up, my mom was the main support of our family. That’s true of so many households. And on top of that, she was a real fighter in the farmworker struggle led by Cesar Chavez. Some of my early memories are on the picket line. I was on my first strike when I was 7 years old. I didn’t know what I was marching for, but my mom was 100 percent fighting with the United Farm Workers union.

Anderson: And now you are with your daughter at all of the fast-food union events.

Sandoval: Yes, my daughter, Juliana, is 17 and lives here with me in Richmond. And I have a 7-year-old son named Adrian, but he isn’t here. He lives with his dad in Puebla, Mexico. I had to leave him there with his dad years ago. Really, it’s awful. I have some ongoing health problems, and with the pay at McDonald’s, I can only care for my daughter, not even myself. I simply cannot afford to care for both of my kids living paycheck to paycheck. We are stretching as much as we can, struggling for each paycheck, barely making it to the next paycheck—not living.

I always tell my daughter, “We have our documents. Don’t forget how lucky we are. Your grandfather came here first illegally, undocumented.” I mean, except for the Native people, all of us are immigrants. But now only some immigrants are the ones who care for the land, wash the dishes, pick the freaking tomatoes. And no offense, but it’s really not White people doing that, you know? My family, we are spread all across this stupid border, in California and Mexico—when California used to be Mexico. It just doesn’t make sense.

Anderson: Now you’re in Richmond. What’s it like here? How is it to work at McDonald’s?

Sandoval: Richmond is a tough city to live in. And this billion-dollar, messed-up corporation I work for is part of the problem. My shift is 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., five days a week. My paycheck is usually just under $500 for two weeks. Even if I can afford to pay rent with one check, I will have nothing left. And I only rent one room in someone else’s home, which is really hard. Our rent goes up, the bus fare, groceries, our utilities—everything goes up except our salaries. The least McDonald’s could do is let the workers eat their crappy food for free, but we only get 25 percent off.

Tina Sandoval and other fast-food workers hold a McDonald’s in Oakland, California, for several hours in 2016 to demand the reinstatement of a black worker who reported experiencing racism on the job. Photo by Brooke Anderson.

Plus, they throw so much food away, but they don’t care that homeless people are living in their parking lot. If we had a union at McDonald’s, I would put a stop to it, for the workers and the homeless. I should know how important that is because I was homeless in a shelter with my daughter for 16 months while I worked at McDonald’s. I could have been one of the people living in their parking lot.

Anderson: What do you want the McDonald’s corporation to know about the impact of these “McJobs”?

Sandoval: I just want the CEOs from these corporations to see the conditions our kids live in. We are forced to live in bad environments. Our kids get caught up in the wrong crowd, and you know what can happen. We know about the violence in those streets. We know about the police brutality. It’s right here. For me, it’s so hard because I work nights, and I don’t get to be with Juliana. I don’t always know where she is. It’s really scary sometimes. I hate it when people say these annoying things, “But where were the parents?” Please! It’s not that I don’t want to spend time with my daughter. It’s not that I don’t want her to eat healthier food or go out to a nice dinner or get Christmas presents. I just can’t.

Maybe it’s a dream for McDonald’s, but for the workers it’s a nightmare.

Honestly, people think that immigrants come to this country for the American Dream. I was born in this country, and I’ve never seen this dream we are supposed to have. Maybe it’s a dream for McDonald’s, but for the workers it’s a nightmare.

Anderson: If you could, would you grow your own food?

Sandoval: Yes, yes absolutely. I would love that. As I said, my mother, the farmworker, taught me to grow food in Michoacán. But where am I going to grow food now? In my bedroom? I don’t have land, you know. I would plant healthy food in a heartbeat for my family if I could afford decent housing here in Richmond. But I’m broke. Maybe with a living wage, I can get my own yard.

Anderson: You have been working at McDonald’s for almost three years and organizing with the East Bay Organizing Committee. What is the East Bay Organizing Committee?

Sandoval: The East Bay Organizing Committee is the fast-food workers union here in the Bay. We’ve been around for over three years. I am part of the organizing committee locally—a group of workers who lead not just their stores, but the whole organization—and I sit on the national organizing committee of workers from across the country. We coordinate the actions of our workers in all the cities across the country. These brothers and sisters, here and around the country, they are also my family.

Right now the organizing committee is almost all women. I think that’s important to say because women really lead this fight. We are the providers, we are the caregivers, we are the warriors. Like my mom. The men—and don’t get me wrong, there are great men out there—but the men just aren’t strong like we are. Honestly, I think that God didn’t give men the ability to give birth because he knew men wouldn’t be able to handle it. That’s why it’s such crap that men get paid more than women. They take all the credit, but don’t do the work. Sorry dude, but Head of the House is not a staff position.

Anderson: Let’s talk about climate change. What role do you think the East Bay Organizing Committee can play in fighting for climate justice, preparing for climate disaster?

Head of the House is not a staff position.

Sandoval: My mom used to get horrible allergies from the pesticide chemicals they would dump on the grapes. And my godfather, like many other people, he died so young from cancer. My co-workers are the ones who have the asthma, the heart issues, the unhealthy kids. I know about that because every day I have to make the choice between buying good food for my daughter or paying rent. Workers deserve both good jobs and healthy lives. I mean, what’s the point of winning $15 if we just end up dying of disease anyway?

I just think that if we as a union stay together, we can handle whatever comes. Like, for example, right now McDonald’s is trying to replace us cashiers with those stupid ATM-looking machines. To have robots taking customers’ orders! It’s horrible. It’s completely wrong. We don’t need less jobs for workers—we need more jobs, more hours. This union is going to fight for our jobs and against these stupid robots. The only people who benefit from that are the rich people.

Anderson: Tell me about your role in the fast-food strikes.

Sandoval: If I could go on strike every day to make a change, I would do it. For me it’s a big deal, being able to take a stand for my co-workers like this. It’s just in me; it’s what I do. I want to help my co-workers overcome their fear, fight the intimidation of the boss.

All this is why I’m so proud to be part of this fast-food worker movement. We take on McDonald’s and the other greedy corporations. But we also helped shut down Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities in Los Angeles, joined the police brutality protests here, supported the Black Friday 14, marched on International Women’s Day, led an MLK Day weekend shutdown of McDonald’s to say “Black Workers Matter,” and supported restaurant workers fighting wage theft.

We demand immigration reform, #BlackLivesMatter, and affordable housing, alongside $15 and a union for all. Because these are all our people, and we won’t leave nobody behind.

Producing in-depth, thoughtful journalism for a better world is expensive – but supporting us isn’t. If you value ad-free independent journalism, consider subscribing to YES! today.

Related Stories on LeftPress:

► GLASGOW EVENTS SHORT AUTONOMY UPDATE

► STRATEGIES FOR RESISTANCE UNDER NEOLIBERALISM: LESSONS FROM THE ZAPATISTAS AND THE LANDLESS WORKERS’ MOVEMENT

► TRUMP AND THE ALT-RIGHT

[centralparkpawsblog]

Does Dawn Dish Soap Really Kill Fleas on Dogs?

https://www.centralparkpaws.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/513kAxXtrL.jpg

So I told you all a while back about my little sister adopting a goldendoodle puppy. Like any new mom, she quickly began freaking out about everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING.

I have literally gotten a text at 2:00 a.m. with a picture of a puppy turd asking me if it looked “normal.” I contemplated texting her back and telling her the only way to really be sure was to taste it. Instead I told her it was perfect, just like her puppy, and to go back to bed.

Who am I to complain about the steady stream of texts though? It makes coming up with my next post a breeze.  Thanks, sis!

My sister’s most recent panic stricken string of texts were the result of finding three (THREE!!!) fleas on her puppy. She tried to Google, but got mixed results causing her to spiral further.

Here are the highlights. I omitted some of her texts with more “colorful” language. You’re welcome, Grandma. Just try to remember who the good one is come this Christmas.

Puppy’s First Flea

“I don’t know what to do. I found a flea. I started really inspecting and found two more. They could be all over the house by now. And the yard.  Good Lord!  You have to help me!!!”

I decided to tackle her panic attack one question at a time.

My first text instructed her to quit looking at random stuff on the internet and check out posts I have already done about this very topic.  I had a great one on eliminating fleas from your yard and a separate post about how to treat your house for fleas.  I even have one about using natural methods to get rid of fleas.

Does Dawn Dish Soap Kill Fleas?

I’ll do my level best to answer her questions in the hopes it will help give answers to someone else, possibly sparing their siblings 23 texts.

“Is washing a dog with Dawn dish soap bad to do? Didn’t mom use it on our dogs when they got fleas when we were kids?”

While it is not best to wash your dog every day with Dawn, there are times that you may need to if something happens such as a huge flea infestation, your dog rolls around on a dead animal (yeah, that is a thing that happens), or maybe they have gotten into some kind of oil.

You may need to immediately wash the dog and you don’t have shampoo.  You can use Dawn to bathe your dog instead in a pinch.

Will Dawn Dish Soap Kill Flea Eggs?

“Will Dawn kill flea eggs? How do I know if I have those? How do I get rid of those?”

I had to look this one up myself.  According to an article I found on a site called fleascience.com, it works by penetrating the eggs, interfering with metabolism or by suffocating the embryo. So yeah, Dawn dish soap kills flea eggs.

But if things get too bad, you’ll likely need to use a flea bomb or other methods of controlling a flea infestation.

Freaking Out

Apparently I took too long looking up the answer to her last question for her liking.

“Why are you ignoring me? You seriously picked the worst possible time ever to abandon me. I need help!  I can’t remember the last time I was this freaked out!?!”

I do.  It happened last Tuesday.

How Does Dish Soap Work Against Fleas?

“I don’t understand how dish soap kills fleas. Is this stupid? Is it even going to work?”

Dawn dish soap kills fleas in two ways.  The first way is that it strips the fleas of their wax coat making their exoskeletons vulnerable.

The second way dish soap is effective at killing fleas is that it changes the surface tension of water.  With these two changes taking place during bath time, it allows the fleas to no longer repel the water and to instead sink down into it thus killing them by suffocation.

Without the Dawn dish soap, other forms of dog shampoo would not have this same effect on the fleas.  They may take the fleas off of the dog but they would just float on top of the water and eventually land on you or back on your dog.

Does Only Blue Dawn Dish Soap Kill Fleas?

“Which Dawn dish soap should I use on fleas? Does only the blue Dawn kill fleas? It doesn’t say. Please help me!”

Any dish washing soap will work for killing fleas.  You want to look for dish soap with the simplest ingredients so that you do not cover your dog in harsh chemicals.

Also be careful of different scents especially if you have a dog with skin sensitivities or allergies.

Is it Safe to use Dawn Dish Soap to Kill Fleas on a Puppy?

“Is it okay to use Dawn dish soap to bathe a puppy?  Will he be safe or will it hurt him?”

It is not safe to use flea shampoos or medications on a puppy until they are around six weeks of age. Some even require waiting until the pup is as old as 12 weeks.

Since you can’t use that, is Dawn safe for puppies?

It will dry the heck out of their skin and fur because it works by stripping oils, but it’s not toxic to wash your pet with it.  If you’re dealing with a flea infestation on a pup younger than six weeks, Dawn is a safer alternative for treating fleas.

How to Give a Flea Bath with Dawn Dish Soap

“So how do I go about doing this? Is it just like using regular shampoo?”

Pretty much except you’ll need to be extra diligent during the rinsing process.

You want to start by preparing everything you will need before getting the dog to the bathing location. Gather necessary items such as Dawn (or another type of dish soap), flea comb, towel, and collar and leash (if your dog likes to jump out of their bath like mine).

It does not matter where you bathe your dog at. It could be the sink, outside with the hose, bathtub, kiddie pool, etc.  It just needs to be in an area that your dog will stay put while the bath is going on.

You want the water to be around 70 degrees or lukewarm. If you are not using just the hose, you’ll want to go ahead and fill up the bath with water before attempting to put your dog in it.

Once the dog is in, make sure to wet their fur as much as possible before putting the soap on. Avoid getting water and dish soap into the dog’s ears and eyes.  If the water does not drain out, this could cause ear infections.  Some have suggested putting cotton wool into your dog’s ears to help protect them from water during bath time.

When you start to apply the soap, you want to start around the dog’s neck and the top part of their head. Fleas will start running once you start and you want to build a blockade around the dog’s face with a line of dish soap. Your dog’s facet is most likely where fleas will attempt to run to and it is hard to wash that part of the dog.  Be careful to not get soap into the dog’s eyes, nose, or mouth.

Cover the rest of the dog’s body with lather from the Dawn, paying extra close attention to spots that fleas like to hide in, like their armpits, in between toes, belly area, etc.

Once you have covered the dog’s body other than the face, you can add some extra water to help later the soap up more.

Leave the dish soap on the dog for two minutes. If your dog has a really bad infestation, it can be helpful to use a flea comb while they still have Dawn on them to begin to comb out some of the fleas that may be hiding deep into the fur.

Rinse your dog off after the two minutes and make sure that you rinse all of the soap off as best that you can. If you see a large amount of fleas floating around in the water you may want to let the water out and start over fresh before rinsing your dog off.

Once you are sure that there is no more dish soap on your dog’s fur, you can begin to dry the dog off. You can use a towel, dryer, or allow your dog to run outside if it is warm outside and they won’t roll around in the dirt (like my dogs seem to enjoy doing).

Once the dog is dry, you can use the flea comb again and brush your dog for any fleas that may have missed the soap. I like to have a bowl with hot water and dish soap beside me to drop the fleas into.

How to Mix Dawn to Repel Fleas

Other items you could include to make a DIY flea spray with Dawn are vinegar, apple cider vinegar, lemon, or salt. These items help repel new fleas from coming back once you have washed your dog. You would wash your dog the same way as with the regular Dawn mixture but would have an added ingredient to help your dog stay rid of fleas.

Dawn Dish Soap and White Vinegar

2 Tbs. Dawn Dish Soap

2 Tbs. White Vinegar

½ Cup of Water

For this method, simply combine ingredients into an empty spray bottle.

Dawn Dish Soap with Salt

¼ Tbs Dawn Dish Soap

¼ Cup of Iodized Table Salt

2-4 Drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

In this method, you will mix the ingredients together and then massage them onto your dog. The salt is to get into the skin and help dehydrate the fleas.  The peppermint essential oil helps repel fleas, plus it can help your dog against skin irritation.

Dawn Dish Soap with Apple Cider Vinegar

1 Tbs. Dawn Dish Soap

1 Tbs. Apple Cider Vinegar

¼ Cup of Water

Combine ingredients to make a homemade flea spray.  Add the ingredients to a spray bottle to apply directly on your pet and on other surfaces.

Dawn Dish Soap with Lemon Juice

1 Tbs. Dawn Dish Soap

1 Tbs. Lemon Juice

1 Tbs. Water

Ingredients should be combined in a spray bottle for application.

Can You Use Dawn to Kill Fleas Around the House?

“Will any of those recipes work on fleas around the house?”

You can certainly use the DIY flea spray recipes on areas like bedding, but your best bet is a trap.

How to Make a Flea Trap with Dawn Dish Soap

One way that you could use Dawn around your house to kill fleas is to make a flea trap.  If you have children or dogs around you will want to place these on cabinets and high areas that the kids and dogs cannot reach.

You can set these up at night to kill any fleas that may be left in your house.  Take a saucer, plate, or low rimmed bowl and fill with water.  Place a few drops of Dawn dish washing liquid.  Add a tea candle in the middle to lure fleas to their death.

A Word of Caution

I would recommend using extreme caution when it comes to using Dawn or any other brand of dish soap for a flea bath.

While it has certainly been proven that Dawn is effective against fleas, it’s a terrible idea to use it excessively due to the dryness and irritation it causes to your dog’s skin and fur when it strips the oils. If your dog already suffers from skin conditions, do not use Dawn for a flea bath.

If your dog does not have sensitive skin, dish soap will work in a pinch.  Sometimes it needs to be done if they have been bombarded by fleas or have gotten into something so smelly that they have left you with no choice.

Don’t forget to treat their beds! If you neglect to wash the dog’s bedding, you will end up with a reinfestation.

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