Week 4 No-Poo Update

The proportions seem to be working nicely. This last time I added 4 drops of tea tree oil to fight flakiness. I love tea tree oil, it smells so nice. I've been adding it to baths and using it on my spots. My fiance has been so wonderful and has been getting the spots on my back so i can be spot-free in my low backed wedding gown. My hair is behaving really nicely. I think if I took a little more time styling it I'd be even happier. I just want it to grow grow grow and of course when it gets nice and long- it will be deep summer and I'll want to chop it all off!
As regards oil-pulling- I was noticing some results but could not spare the time. Maybe I'll try again if one of my Dr.s says it could help with whatever treatment plan we decide on.

Oil Pull Attempt 6

Ran to the bedroom to escape an annoying friend of my fiance's and swished for about 15 minutes. Work keeps cutting into my swish time. I should start earlier. I took the full tablespoon. I'm still having reflex swallowing issues. Maybe less now, still will work on it. Felt suuuuper gaggy, the sensation when spitting is still really gross. I haven't vomited though. Need to remember to brush at nights and in between whiles. Think my teeth are slowly whitening and since i've been concentrating on getting the gums, they have been slowly healing too. My nausea is improving, fiance says my appetite is getting better. Am controlling it more with peppermints when out and about.

Oil Pulling day something and a No-Poo update

I missed Sunday. I tried waiting 4 hours between eating and it just never happened. I continually snack at work. Oh well. I got up this morning and almost didnt, but got mad at myself and tried anyway. I only was able to use 2 teaspoons and swish for 8 or 9 minutes. My teeth feel smooth. I felt less gross spitting it out this time, maybe because there was less oil. I swished more vigorously and tired my mouth out some.

I haven't washed my hair in almost a week and it looks like I washed it 3 days ago. I'm noticing a lot less oil and like my hair is getting back to it's amazing self. I guess I had actually forgotten how nice it can be. I've been smoothing in a little coconut oil for a de-frizzer and it's like the best most expensive product ever. Celebrity shiny. I was going to wash it this morning, but I forgot.

OP day 4

Day 4 I was able to take nearly a full tablespoon. I only pulled for a little less than 10 minutes because I started to feel sick. I think my teeth are whiter. I think I'm also noticing a slight increase in energy, like I have more motivation but that is so variable in me it's probably a coincidence. It is nice to take 20 minutes in the morning to sit and read while I swish. I forgot to this morning (day 5, so I will have to wait for breakfast to digest, then I'm taking a damn 20 minute break to pull)

OP Day 3

I felt sick in the morning and didn't feel better after my meds so I decided to wait to pull. I went to the chiro (possibly have arthritis, fucking joy.) and got all popped back into place. My back was sore from the manipulation but this morning it feels really good. My neck actually feels like a humans! I got coffee and a cinnamon bun for Tim and vanilla bean frapp for me. Part way through the shake and the bun I remember, "oh crap dairy and wheat." so I stopped eating them and didn't feel too bad. Anyway, I set a timer for 4 hours and waited until the food was all digested and did my pull.
I took approx. 1 3/4 tbsp of oil and swished for 20 minutes. I keep reflex swallowing but this time was slightly better. I keep my head tilted forward. I tried to make sure I was reaching all the parts of my mouth. I feel like I gagged less this time when spitting it out and rinsing with a saline solution. I tried to pull more aggressively through the teeth without straining my jaw and cheeks. I think this helped some with the additional plaque build up. This morning my teeth feel cleaner than usual. It's time to pull now, so I will write up day 4 in a couple hours!

Oil Pulling Day Two

Day two of oil pulling. I had to wait until my fiance and his build crew left for the day so I was only able to swish for 10 minutes before work. Today was a lot easier to take more of the oil. I put small amounts at a time between my teeth and lips and let it melt. Instead of waiting a minute or two between additions, I added more as soon as the previous bit was incorporated. I was able to take approx. 1 1/2 tablespoons in the 10 minutes. The last addition probably was only swished for a minute or two. Then I swished with salt water. (really salty today, oops dropped in a looot of salt)
I brushed afterwards with baking soda and a drop of peppermint oil. I wanted to get rid of that film that was left but I didn't want to use too many other products so I can gauge the reaction of the coconut oil.
For breakfast, I am having oatmeal with some coconut oil mixed in (made it creamier) and water. I got some small stomach cramps and my hands and wrist continue to ache. I think it is the tendons that are sore, not the joints. I'm having trouble gripping and pulling. Even grabbing mugs to put away from the dishwasher.

No-Poo journey day three

First No-Poo update. I have gotten plastic squeezy bottles and filled one with 1 cup water/1 tbsp baking soda and one with 1 cup water/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (acv).  I decided not to waste or give up my beloved It's A 10 but will supplement with coconut oil weekly deep treatments and coconut oil/shea butter glossing creme (when I can find shea) . After the first wash, I feel like my hair is fuller, I can tell the difference between squeeky clean (but stripped) and clean and fresh (but still full of natural oils). It's like the difference between my hair falling in  a perfect curtain like in a shampoo commercial or it falling in locks like curly hair.. but its straight. Its a weird feeling, but I think I like it. Right now the cut is so awful that I don't have any idea what it is doing.
Second wash was last night since I had some flakes and it bothers me. I put it wet into french braids and it is still there drying. I will probably start doing braids more often (including all the time for bed) to stop putting a hair tie right over the middle part. I'd rather protect the middle part of the shaft, keep the scalp clean and healthy, and break the ends a little to keep it tucked away and safe.

Oil Pulling Day One

While researching shampoo-less methods of washing hair, I came upon the practice of using coconut oil as a deep conditioning treatment. (HTHG's no-poo journey) This lead to further research on coconut oil, as I had heard things like taking a couple of tablespoons a day will improve memory or giving it to your pets will help with joint function. Reading more, it seems to be a wonder drug; improving everything from RA to gut pain.
The technique for pulling seems simple: take a small amount of oil into the mouth and gently work between teeth and around mouth for 15-20 minutes. You can use any vegetable oil, but since coconut oil has antimicrobal properties and since I can use it for a host of other things, I went to the local heath food store and got a jar of Dr. Bronner's Coconut Oil.
This morning I scooped out a 1/2 tablespoon and popped it in my mouth. Last thought beforehand: I hope this doesn't have a weird texture. First thought after: gag reflex, spit gross chunky blob into sink. Second attempt I took a 1/2 tablespoon and took a little smidge at a time and let it melt and swish around. I found that if I put it between my lips and teeth and pulled it through my teeth the chunky blob feeling was reduced. I also read after the fact, that someone else has success with "chewing" the oil to melt it quicker, I'll try that tomorrow. I kept my head inclined forward (reading a book helped keep the incline) and tried really hard not to swallow but the reflex kicked in a couple times, keeping my head forward helped not swallow too much of the oil. I had to spit out a bit several times so I would be able to take the full 1/2 tbsp since I'm a drool monster. After approx. 15 minutes I spit into a cup and threw it out. It was white and cloudy. Then I rinsed with salt water to help further reduce gum inflammation and rinse out the gross oily texture. My mouth felt cleaner but my teeth didn't feel as smooth as after brushing. I burped a few times and felt a little nausea. I read that you might possible throw up the first few times as your body is getting all the bad stuff out. I felt hungry and ate a scrambled egg with some water which didn't give me any cramps. Later Tim made me some fried papas (made with no fat, will try to convince him to use coconut oil in future to add more to diet in addition to swishing)