For a long time I've been interested in different spiritual paths, but in a lot of ways, as much as the philosophy behind wicca or paganism resonates with me, the actual practices do not. I've tried doing rituals, from by-the-book circle casting involving waving a kitchen knife in the air to more free form things with incense and my own chants, and some of them have been moving or helpful, but they have always felt contrived to me. And really, who has the time? And yet I yearn for that connection; I feel a sense of loss when I realize that I don't know what phase the moon is in, or realize I've let another equinox pass without marking it somehow. Especially now that we live in the city, it's so easy to miss seasonal cycles.

On the other hand, many of the things I do on a regular basis that aren't explicitly spiritual I think could be made more meaningful in that context. For instance, I've been doing a daily exercise recommended by Tal Ben-Shahar where you simply write down each day five things you are grateful for, and it has had a huge impact. When I do it regularly, I feel happier, more even-keeled, and find myself spontaneously thinking how lucky I am. I've been approaching it from the scientific context where I first heard of it, but it's just as much a simple ritual as it is a scientific exercise. The same could be said for yoga, which I approach as mostly physical (though I've read lots of the more metaphysical writings on yoga), but is also a kind of moving meditation. And then there is the most essential of daily rituals, the first cup of coffee in the morning.

So the question becomes how to be present and connected and aware in a way that fits with my daily life, that feels authentic and me? I really miss being outside on a regular basis. It's not like I don't leave the house, but the home-subway-work-subway-home thing just doesn't count.

Ingredient profile: jojoba oil

I've recently started using jojoba oil as a body moisturizer after showering and I'm really amazed at how great it is. Other body oils I've used in the past left my skin too greasy to get dressed right away, and often left a slight oil residue on clothes. I've also had many oil based products turn rancid before I finished them. But because jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax rather than a true oil, it doesn't stain fabrics and will not go rancid. But the real plus is how my skin has reacted. I'm pretty pale and like most pale girls am prone to looking a little blotchy. Nothing drastic, but some areas of my skin will often be a little pinker than others. I remember reading Jessica Porter's Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics where she described how a macrobiotic diet made her one color all over (I'm paraphrasing here) and thinking "I could be persuaded to give up tomatoes for that." Jojoba oil seems to have acheived it without sacrificing veggie lasanga. It has also made some old stretch marks that I had given up on changing much less noticable.

Are Nalgene bottles really bad for us?

I keep hearing about how Nalgene bottles leach dangerous chemicals into our water, and how Sigg aluminum bottles are a better alternative, but I'm not sure I'm buying it. The original source of the nalgene scare seems to be from this article in the Sierra Club's newsletter. The polycarbonate plastic used in Nalgene bottles (marketed as Lexan) contains bisphenol-a, which may be an endocrine disrupter. The Sierra Club cited a study that found that mouse cages made of a polycarbonate plastic similar to Lexan leached appreciable amounts of bisphenol-a when a lab tech accidentally washed the cages with a harsh detergent. Female mice in those cages later developed chromosone abnormalities in their eggs. Some sources have critiqued the link between the research the Sierra Club cites and the conclusion that the food grade plastic used in Nalgene's lexan bottles will leach during normal use, but much of the criticism has come from fairly biased sources, including this article from an outdoor industry trade magazine.

Instead the best evidence for nalgene bottles being safe is from the EU (see p 3 of this study). While the Sierra Club article cited only one study, the EU did a review of lexan-type plastics and found no or very little leaching of bisphenol-A from food grade bottles under extraordinary conditions (using more 95% ethanol and shaking it for 24 hours at a time), and no leaching at all when water or a liquid with an acidity resembling juice were stored in the bottles. The EU study cites over a hundred sources, including dozens of studies, but was published before the study cited in the Sierra Club article, and so does not directly address it.

So what to do? I won't be cleaning my Nalgene bottles with industrial grade floor cleaner anytime soon (this was what was accidentally used on the mice cages), and I've stopped using hot liquids in them. I also wouldn't wash them in a dishwasher or store liquids for long periods in them, but other than that I'll continue to use my Nalgenes.

On body image, and why it's an environmental issue

I miraculously slided through highschool basically unscathed by the usual girly issues about weight and appearance and conformity. For most of highschool and college I didn't wear makeup or bras, didn't shave anything, and never even thought about dieting. But over the years after college my husband and I ended up living first in Southern California and then in New York city, and I have picked up a few habits: shaving, makeup, thongs. And even though these were initially about doing things I thought were a little silly to fit in, some of these I have really internalized. I would now feel really uncomfortable walking around town in a tank top without shaving my underarms, and I wear makeup often enough to feel like it's normal to wear it, rather than to go without. I've been thinking about it a lot lately because I just got back from a four day camping trip, and I'm realizing how much freer and more relaxed I feel now that we're back. It's been unusually hot in NYC for over a month, and before the trip I was still wearing some makeup most days. Now that we're back it just seems crazy to use it in this heat. Instead of putting on makeup because I feel like I need it to be acceptable or normal, now I can actually decide whether I want to.

So why is this an environmental issue? Because the things that women (and increasingly men) will do for beauty often involve chemicals that are bad for the environment and bad for our health. When we have a strong positive self image we can weigh the true costs of our beauty choices. When we are locked into feeling that we need to fit in, we buy things reflexively because we 'need' them. The worst beauty offenders are hair dye and nail polish. If you are using conventional dye or polish, it's time to really think about why. Even without doing all the research about why these products are harmful, the smell and feel alone is enough to know something is wrong.

Ingredient profile: Sodium Laurel Sulfate

SLS has a bad reputation as a skin and haircare ingredient and it deserves it, but not for the reasons you may have heard. At one point there was a widespread internet rumor that SLS caused cancer, causing many health conscious consumers to avoid it. The cancer connection has been pretty conclusively disproven. However, I still avoid SLS, and it's one of the major reasons why I have begun to read labels. Why? Because SLS is a potent irritant. For years I thought the tight itchy feeling I had after showering was normal, and always made sure to apply moisturizer after showering or washing my hands to make my skin feel comfortable again. But after switching to SLS-free shower gel that 'normal' feeling is totally gone. Switching to SLS free shampoo also eliminated all the flakes on my scalp, so I can now skip the dandruff shampoo I used to use twice a week.

Should you avoid SLS? Because SLS is so common in soaps and shampoos, the only way to determine whether it triggers skin problems for you is to use products without SLS for a while, then go back to your old products and see if there is a reaction. There are lots of alternatives, but even many natural companies use SLS, so you'll need to read labels. You should especially consider cutting SLS out of your skin care if you have exzema, dandruff, or any problems with redness on your face. SLS is also commonly used in toothpaste (including Tom's of Maine), so consider switching toothpastes if you are prone to canker sores. You may also see Sodium Laureth Sulfate on labels. This is another detergent similar to SLS. It is considered to be slightly gentler than SLS, but I still find my skin does better without it.

What to use instead:
Oil based soaps are a good option for hand and shower soap. Dr. Bronner's is an old hippie standby, but many people find it drying. Pangea Organics is a promising alternative, though I haven't tried it yet. pangea (and you'll have to forgive me, but I haven't figured out how to add links yet). Nearly all handmade soap would fit in this category too.

For shampoo, many companies use Cocamidopropyl Betaine, a very gentle surfectant that I have no problems with. Like SLS and SLES, it is often described as derived from coconuts, but all three require extensive chemical manipulation, so I would not describe it as natural. I probably wouldn't choose something with this ingredient for skincare, but I use it on my hair because it gives better results than other ingredients and is able to remove styling products that more natural ingredients cannot.

The ultimate bathroom cleaner

I switched from chemical products to natrural household cleaners several years ago, and the grout in our shower hasn't ever been really clean since. I'm perfectly happy with my Seventh Generation dishsoap, and recently discovered their toilet bowl cleaner, but up 'till now had resigned myself to icky shower grout. But recently I discovered the solution. First fill a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide, spray shower, and leave it to sit for an hour or more. Then make a paste of dishsoap and baking soda, and use a scrub brush to give the shower walls a good scrub. The scrub brush is key, because the bristles really get into the grout.

A couple of tips: any water added to the whole equation will only serve to dilute the hydrogen peroxide, so start this whole process when the shower is dry. If you leave the initial application of peroxide too long it will dry out completely and the scrub part works better with some liquid, so you'll want to either spritz on a little more peroxide before you start or wet the brush with water (only use this option if your grout isn' t really gross). Finally, while hydrogen peroxide is much less harsh than bleach it is still a little tough on your hands, so consider wearing gloves for this one. For in between cleanings, I like Seventh Gen's shower spray, the orange oil really keeps the mold from forming, and even prevents towels from mildewing in damp weather.

Why nettles?

Nettles are everything that a green lifestyle should be, all in one neat little package. Tough, resilient, cheap, with a million uses, nettle was historically used to make ropes and cloth because of its strong fibre. One of the best remedies for nettle stings is actually nettle juice. Internally, young nettles can be eaten whole as a green and are a great source of minerals. Dried nettles can be made into a strong tea that provides the body with calicium and other minerals and is a wonderful energizer. Unlike caffiene or other stimulents that provide a temporary feeling of energy, while leaving you drained later, nettle gives a steady feeling of strength. I turn to nettle infusion when I am under prolonged stress. Nettle infusion is also great for skin and hair.

To make nettle infusion you need:

1. One large glass jar. I like to make my infusions in a French press, it makes it easy to strain the herbs when they are done steeping, and looks much more elegant than a mason jar. You can also use a plastic jar in a pinch, but you'll be pouring boiling water in, so using glass will reduce the number of chemicals leached into your tea.
2. One ounce of dried nettle. Organic is best, Mountain Rose is my go to resource for organic herbs.
3. One quart boiling water.

Pour the water over the nettles, put it in the fridge, let it steep at least 12 hours. The infusion will easily last two days. Drink a couple of cups a day, use the extra as a hair rinse.