Chaco Love

A few years ago, if you asked me about Chacos, I would have gone off about how there was no reason to spend over a hundred dollars on a pair of sandals.

I would have then proceeded to tell you that the only reason people buy them is so they can match their "The North Face" jackets, eat Qdoba and live in Colorado Springs .... a rather harsh, unrealistic view I got of Chaco patrons my freshman year in one of the campus ministry groups.

Over time however, I talked to person after person who loved their shoes and oddly enough, didn't live in Colorado Springs.  My stereotype was busted.

After going to New Zealand and picking up a love for hiking and the outdoors, I decided I needed to invest in some new shoes.

Reluctantly, I went down to the neighborhood JAX store where to my surprise, I fell in love with Chacos.  Although it did take two sales associates to find me the right pair and help me adjust the straps to my feet, I found the Cinderella fit.  But I still wasn't sold.  Being that I am not one to spend a lot of money on clothes, I left the store empty handed.  I really liked the way they molded to my feet, but I wasn't quite sold on their value.

Fortunately for me, my subconscious took over the decision making that weekend.  After dreaming about them two days straight and being unable to shake them from my mine while I was awake, I returned to the store.  While I cringed as I handed over the Benjamin to cove the cost, I was so excited to own them that I switched them out for my old shoes before jumping on my bike and heading home.

Almost a year later, I am still in love with these shoes!

Top 10 reasons I love my Chacos:

10.  I spent too much money on them not to fall in love with them.
9.  The soles have some mean traction on snow/ice/mud.
8.  You can wash them by throwing them in the shower with you.
7.  The one strap that runs throughout the entire shoe adjusts to custom fit abnormal feet.
6.  Sweet tan lines... if I tanned
5.  I can get away with wearing them as pseudo dress shoes.
4.  They encourage messy behavior
3.  They make me feel like an explorer while going about my everyday life.
2.  1 year later, they're still chugging along beautifully when most shoes don't last me 4 months.
1.  I did the my first Half Marathon wearing these babies.

BEFORE....

BEFORE....

AFTER!!

For me, Chacos are just another example of proving wrong my own preconceived notions with personal experience.

A month a go, I decided to go No 'Poo to test the idea that I had to use shampoo and conditioner to keep my hair clean.  While I was rather skeptical when I first heard about it, I'm now a believer.  

Here's what my hair looks like today, 30 days after I started No 'Poo without any styling at all.

I think it's a winner.

Here's to the bohemian life! Cheers!

Ditching Shampoo

I eat organic food in four situations:

1. When it's on sale for cheaper than the conventionally raised products (college student budget)
2. When it comes from my parents/grandpa's garden (again, cheap )
3. When someone else buys it (SUPER cheap )
4. When the only option is organic and I REALLY want it

This is a at my Grandpa's farm <3

I am not going "crunchy" with some aspects of my life because I am afraid or worried about the safety of products here in the United States, or believe the fallacy that if it's not Organic/Natural/Hormone Free/Free Range/Not from Concentrate, that it's going to kill me.

I trust the producers and government agencies that strive to keep consumers safe.
I have worked in a GMO research lab.
I grew up raising my own animals and plants for food.
I have researched the meanings behind the labels and know the loopholes. (If you haven't, you should.)

In fact, I am thankful everyday for conventional farming and the advancements in science that have helped to exponentially increase production for this growing world.  Without them, we wouldn't be able to feed the billions of people around the globe. (Undernutrion, Malnutrition and Starvation are NOT problems resulting from an inadequate world food supply but rather distribution and poverty.)

Our food supply is safe and affordable because of these advancements.

Thank you Jesus for researchers, farmers and ranchers. <3

I do however recognize the benefits of making things myself.  In order to help keep foods longer and increase the convenience factor, we add preservatives.  Looking at things like canned soups, you can see the negative effects of the increased shelf life in the sodium. If I can save my sodium intake for things like pickles by making my own soup, why wouldn't I do it?  By making things myself, I am able to add what I think is necessary and leave out what I do not need.

I also really like being creative.

Here's the link to this recipe!

I love my weekly bread baking sessions because I can justify taking time to make something with my hands.  It fills my apartment with the smells of home and often gives me a much needed break from school.  I don't need to add any preservatives because without the middle men, that bread is being eaten before it even cools off.
I find fulfillment in being able to cook a meal from scratch for people I love, knowing that I gave part of my time, talent and treasure to nourish their bodies and often, satisfy a sweet tooth.

So when I heard about No 'Poo, a method for taking care of your hair without commercial shampoos, I was curious to learn more about it. I've discovered a hippie/bohemian/crunchy streak in my body that runs to my core.

I have long, curly, auburn hair that I hardly go a day without shampooing and conditioning. My fear is that if I go longer, it will be unmanageable and finally drive me to chop it off in a fit of rage, subsequently killing my great grandma of a heart attack next time I go home..... And I LOVE my grandma!

I did my research though, reading articles, blogs and emails from people who hadn't shampooed their hair in years, and their stories sucked me in.

Here's some of my favorite reads on the subject:
- No 'Poo To You, Too!!!
- NBC News - Ditching Shampoo: A dirty little beauty secret
- No 'Poo FAQ
and so many more!

So on April 9th, I decided to give it a shot for for a few months and see what happens.

Here's my No 'Poo plan:

- Baking soda and water mix to wash my scalp and roots.
- Apple Cider Vinegar and water mix for the ends
- Wash on the W's (Wednesdays and Weekends)
- No blow drying, straightening, or styling products
- Occasionally try things like brewed teas or lavender for an extra touch

Why I'm Giving it a Shot

I'm headed to Europe in 65 days (whoop whoop! Getting excited!) where I will be traveling for six months, living with families in Northern Ireland, England and Norway through the IFYE program.  I figure that being able to wash my hair with common household products will make it easy for me to find what I need wherever I go.  My plan at this point is to travel taking only what I can fit in my hiking bag.

The No 'Poo method also requires less washings per week (don't worry, I'll still be showering).  I'd like to think I'm a quick shower taker, but with long hair, it can take a while to lather, rinse and repeat.  Environmentally speaking, I'll be saving water; Economically speaking, I'll be saving time, which in itself is very valuable.

As a person on a pretty limited budget, I also see this as an chance to save a pretty penny by reducing  my hair expenses significantly.  I can't get shampoo and conditioners that I like for less than $15.  A bottle of vinegar and box of baking soda cost me less than $5.  Using only 2 tablespoons of each a week, they will last for quite a while.  Take out the other hair products, blow drying and straightening costs and this looks like a beauty secret for the savviest of shoppers.

Last of all, I'm an adventurer.  I love trying new things.  When I was researching, I discovered that this was a rather low risk investment.  If I decide to stop No 'Poo somewhere down the line, I can go right back to my old routine, no harm done.

So here's to exploring the something new and ditching the shampoo. <3