Paste less

In line with my now soap less and pooless showers, I have recently taken one step further.

For more than a month now, I have gone paste less. As in, toothpaste.

Starting it wasn't quite intentional really. I had gone to Singapore for close to a week. And I was just trying to reduce baggage weight. The toothpaste was just too heavy compared to the amount I was going to use.

Upon getting there, I decided I was too lazy and too much of a stooge to bother getting a small tube. Not to mention getting all that packaging and an extra tube which will then lie around on my bathroom shelf taking up precious real estate taking forever to finish. Which will then cause me twice daily agonizing regret over why I didn't bring toothpaste from home anyway.

Now, over that one week, and the week after up north in Penang, (so happy as baggage weight was reduced by 200gm), I started getting into the routine of going paste less.

At first, my self consciousness was heightened, wondering if anyone notices bad breath or brown teeth. I was still brushing my teeth. In fact more so, I was flossing more regularly too. I admit, I don't always floss. Takes 2 minutes more. And I can't spare that.

But surprisingly, no one fainted while I was in the same room, although there seemed to have been a lady turning green two tables near mine - I think that had something to do with the revolting food she had in front of her. That said, no one has commented or looked uncomfortable while I spoke with them. Either I don't stink or they were extremely polite. I can't tell. I won't tell.

3 weeks into it, I admit, I didn't like the look of my teeth. I don't think I smell. I believe that the friendly bacteria in my mouth has been victorious. But, it was getting a little yellow. On top of that, my front tooth has developed grey vertical stains on them. GASP!!! Not good. Being an avid fan of teas, I drink an average of 5 to 6 cups of tannin rich tea daily. Toothbrush alone seems to not quite cut it.

So, I went to my trusty lab (aka kitchen), and scooped up some sodium bicarbonate (aka baking soda) into a little plastic bowl I swiped from an airline.

I dipped the brush in the powder and very enthusiastically brushed. Whoo hoo! Stains came off. But at a price. My gums bled and they felt sore for the next two days. Why? I'm still trying to figure this one out.

Sine then, the smells/or lack of it is still good, but the stain came back. I decided again to give the soda another try. And I'm happy to say, I found a good solution. I focused on the teeth and not the gums. And I Restrained Mu enthusiasm and brushed more gently.

Stains are gone. Mouth feels clean.

I will be monitoring this and will soon see what the dentist has got to say about this weird behavior.

But in the meantime, I'm delighted at the prospect of reduced baggage weight! ;)

Fish listeners

Last night, the family went to watch The  Fish Listeners of Setiu Lagoon. It's magical. The idea that a person so in tune with the water world, he could hear them for miles away.  Listening to hum and whoosh of the schools of fish. Fascinating.

Fish Listeners of Setiu Lagoon from apparat production on Vimeo.

According to Dain, they are the only people practicing this amazing art. All this while, I've not heard of it ever before. And it's just in Malaysia. We travel far and wide to see wonders of the world. Yet, we hadn't a clue of this.

Well appreciated, thank you Apparat Productions.

There are more to watch today and tomorrow. Go catch some at least if not all of them. For more information, find out from: http://www.ecofilmfest.my/

The NatureMill is finally here!

But do I really need it? Sigh. All night last night I've been fretting over this.  Imagine, fretting over a composter. I have no life.

I have for at least 4 years of my life now, going back to NatureMill's website and salivating over their composters. From the very first few models to now the fancy shmancy Ultra models.  But distance and carbon footprint (not to mention delivery costs) has always been a deterrent. The husband has always been against the idea. Saying we can do without and we just need to establish a communal composting area. Ok. I'm lazy and I admit it.

But but but, I have been doing plant pot composting. Haven't been able to rid all my kitchen waste, but pretty good la. And these is how it looked like this morning. Okla kan?

But I'm just like any other human. I want the easiest way out.

Oh, I cannot afford it anyways. What am I possibly whining about?

Not quite Rapid...

We are a one car family. And a small tiny little car it is too. Wonderful nifty little Kelisa, saves petrol, zips around town and slots into the tiniest of parking lots. ;) All good.

The hubs and I share this wonderful little cili padi. Some days he takes the train/bicycle, some days the noodle and I take the train/bus/bicycle. We take turns depending on who has the more time consuming travel of the day.

Today it was the Noodle and my turn to take public transportation. And I was excited. We had to travel to our friend's home in Melawati which is about 15 minutes drive away for the Noodle's art class. Getting there was going to be interesting. It's close by, so should be quite easilyla... So, the night before, I did my research. I knew what buses come close to us (close being a 20 minute under the hot sun walk away), and where it ends up. Okay, that sorted. Now, what buses ended up near my friend's place - found. Okay, that sorted too. But the connections - OMG.

First, the 20 minute walk to the bus stop. I found out that our area was designated "too rich" to have public buses coming in to service the residents here. Nevermind that I don't live in a those "too rich" houses up the hill, they still deem my place non-service required.

Still, at least there's a bus stop which takes us directly to LRT stations. I'm very grateful for that. That's that. RM1.90 and 30 minutes later, the bus will get me to a convenient LRT station. Yay, then a train ride circa RM2 and another 10 minutes later, I'd have to alight and take a 5 minutes stroll to another train line. That one will cost me another RM2 or so and another 10 minutes to my intended destination. Alighting at my final train stop, I can then, wait for a bus, pay RM2.50 and sit the entire journey (which will last about 45 minutes based on what I see on google maps of the stops) almost to the last stop to get to my friend's place in Melawati. I live 15 minutes drive away.

Okay, the reason why I wrote all of that in would be/will is because the Noodle and I didn't manage to catch all those buses and trains. When we got to the bus stop, I did my calculations for both money and time, I realized that it is more efficient for me to just flag a taxi.

And we did. It cost us RM10 and 15 minutes.

Mass seaweed bag

The big noodle loves seaweed. But it's ridiculous our choices or lack of, choices when it comes to seaweed for snacks.

I'm not quite talking about eating, but how much or little packaging there is! The choices available usually involves packaging multiple times the weight of the seaweed itself!!!

I'm happy to announce that I found a happy medium. Least packaging for 50 slices of seaweed. :)

I don't soap.

There, I said it.

This is my personal hygiene post.

I have not shampooed in a year and soaped in over 6 months. And the noodle is very happy to do the same.

The hair is not laden with lice, dropped off or covered with grease. I don't think I smell bad or of anything but me. Of course, when I have a super long hot sweaty day, I realize I do smell sweaty, but that happens even when I do use soap.

Going no 'poo this time isn't the first time I've tried it. Few years back, I had tried going no 'poo. And in the middle of things, I had a holiday in the UK. And the change in the humidity levels completely wrecked it. My hair felt uncomfortable and I caved in fearing what my mother in law thinks of me. But that was only in my mind for two reasons - I don't think anyone actually noticed anything wrong with my hair, and two, my mother in law is really cool and supports my conservation and slightly kooky ideas.

There are a lot written about going pooless (LOL). I seriously find that term amusing. Anyway, I figured that not only will it be good for myself, by reducing the amount of chemicals I expose myself to, I'm also reducing the stuff I buy and throw down the drain - quite literally, and bin. And with going outdoors so often as well, I find that not being encumbered by bottles of shampoos and soaps very liberating.

So, what do I do?

Some 'researchers' or journalists has actually tried out these no soaps and poos. And I find them quite biased. They actually ditch cleaning altogether! And I find this totally unfair. They end up totally bashing going soapless and pooless because they end up filthy and disgusting! Not washing is not going pooless or soapless. There's a difference.

I wash my hair with water as I do with shampoo before. I just massage my head a little more and scrub my hair a little more. Some recommends baking soda, tea, vinegar etc. I just use water. And I do this whenever I feel like it. Be it everyday when it's hot, or every other week only when I feel like I need it. But it's not always smooth sailing. In the first two weeks, my hair didn't particularly look or feel good at all. It was greasy and clumpy and very easily, I could have ended up with shampoo. But, after that, it has been pretty good.

As for soaping. I ditched it very easily. I still use my scrubbing gloves occasionally. And my skin's improved too! Deodorant was hard to ditch initially. But I think my own body flora has flourished and I find that going deodorantless is bearable too.

Showers these days have been reduced to just under a minute! LOL. During hair wash days, max 5 minutes. And I do enjoy a couple more short showers during the day especially when the day's hot.

So, friends, if after reading this, you do want to avoid me, I can understand. But do let me know if you think I DO smell. I honestly want to know! It's scientific too! ;)

Update March 2020: I still don't soap. Except washing hands all the time before food prep, after contact with anyone/anything. So, does that count? Sigh...

Gasp, it's about the monthlies...

...or 'crimson tide', or about your 'best friend's come to visit' however you want to describe the menses. Disclaimer: If you're male (or maybe even a sensitive female...) and you think you're going to cringe soon. Please close the page. There are graphic images and descriptions below.

I think I've very happily reached the point that I'm open to discussing it as adult-like as possible. Especially after having a very curious child who makes sure we keep doors open at all times.

Over the years, I've been experimenting with tampons, conventional pads, tissue paper, etc. After reading multiple blogs of enlightened others, I had decided to take the plunge into the world of cloth pads. Yes, I've tried pieces of cloth before. And why not? Speaking to various people in less polluted locations, I've learnt that others are very comfortable just using old pieces of cloth for this. And yes, it works. You just need to change it often, and be wary of leaks. 

So, back to cloth pads. I finally managed to acquire the elusive PUL material. That's the same waterproof clothlike material they used for cloth nappies I used to use on the Big Noodle. I dug up the hubs old unwanted shirts and t-shirts and fashioned some reusable cloth pads! There!

My varied homemade stash from old shirt, t-shirts and towels. I've kept the photo small on purpose. 

And they worked good. Absorbent. But of course, there were grouses. Leaks sometimes happen as well. They are a little bulky compared to super slims and tampons. 

I would soak these in a little tub in the bathroom, empty out the water every evening into my potted plants (god forbid, now you know why those herbs are so fat and juicy!!!) and toss them into the wash whenever there's laundry. But they do get smelly even when the water's changed. 

However, all the negativities aside, I still love these. I noticed I don't have any/minimal period pains. I don't need to pay tons of money for tampons or fancy shmancy super slims. But I think I feel best of all that I am achieving the objective I had set when I wanted to do this in the first place. Reducing my disposables. :)

And recently, a friend has introduced me to something else. Moon Cup. *gulp*

Started it. Love the concept. Just pour out (again, into my pots!!!), wash and reinsert. No extra washing.  Liking concept so far. Not liking removal so far. Will need to talk about that more when I have more experience.

Update (Nov 2014) : It has been over two years on. I'm still using them. I now realize I prefer AIOs which I use, fold, button up and keep away. Then at the end of the day, I rinse them in the shower, and hang them to dry. When dry, I throw them in the laundry basket for the next round of washing with the rest of the clothes. And the period pains have not returned :D Best side effect!

Update (June 2016) : Still loving them. Methods used still the same as 2014. With a half cup of Vanish powder in wash load. Pains have stayed away 😊
Gave up the moon cup very very early on as it gave me a very nasty bout of UTI.

Update (March 2020): Extremely stressed out by the lockdown with 6 under one roof and me going bonkers providing for everyone. Need time away.
But, yes, those ol' pads are still surviving. A couple had retired over the years, but most of them still in pretty decent if not great shape. Method still the same from update Nov 2014.

A long hiatus and I hope to be back

Harlow. It's been a very very long while now. In the past two years, many things have happened and I'm still working towards finding balance and time to do just about everything - juggling work, motherhood, housekeeping, daughterhood, teacherhood, etc etc etc. But don't we all? I just am complaining. ;)

But recently thanks to a couple of friends who reminded me of my blog, watch for the return of..... Terra Cin! Cheese.

One of the first posts I believe will be coming concerns personal hygiene. Hahaha, hopefully that post will not send those very friends away! ;)