Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Get Me Dirty

I thought this was an interesting article. It kind of reinforces something I've suspected for a while. I think we do too much to sanitize our selves and additionally we expose our selves to a lot of toxic chemicals in our homes by way of the multitude of products we're brain-washed into buying.

You read stories about the troubling increase in the number of kids who are reported to have Autism for example. Recently there were news stories about how many kids have peanut allergies, and that statistically it just doesn't make sense that all of the sudden the percentage of the population that is allergic is off the charts from what was considered normal.

Now I'm not saying chemicals are causing those two conditions but I have a strong suspicion that dosing our selves daily with deodorant, hair product, cleaning supplies and what not, can not be healthy for us or the planet. Don't get me wrong. I see the beauty of the Swiffer, but really is there anything wrong with soap in a bucket of water? And think about it, it may be handy but it really is just marketing hype.

I try (and often fail) to avoid this stuff. Give me my good old Ivory soap and I'm good to go. It's really the only thing I want to smell like. Hec, I even use it on my hair. I understand the need for Purell and wanting things germ free, but I've always suspected that we need some of those nasty germs in us to keep our immunity systems up and running.

I'm kind of the same way about doctors and medicine. Sure, I go if something is really wrong and for check ups. But I don't go if I have a cold or flu. I hardly even take the over the counter stuff unless I'm really symptomatic and suffering. Otherwise I think it's best to just let your body do what it wants to do.

Overly processed food are also 'on my list' The less handling and adding stuff in the better.

Of course this all goes out the window if were talking about cookies, ice cream or candy. I'm not crazy.

15 comments:

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

We stopped using antibacterial soap a long time ago because of reports that it might be increasing super bacteria.

I'm not a super clean freak. We clean house every other week. I tried switching to a "green" dish soap last time I bought it, but my husband hated it. I am gradually switching my other cleaning products though.

Donna. W said...

I don't use over-the-counter flu and cold remedies or antihistamines, ever. All they do is make me feel groggy.

Hey, I did a new entry answering your switchboard questions.

KathyA said...

I stopped with the anti-bacterial stuff, too. You're right about the convenience cleaners, too. I think a mop, a bucket, and some Murphy's Oil Soap works great on my floors. I don't think the Swifter-type mops really clean, anyway.

Cheryl said...

Great title, Brad. I'm with you on the anti-bacterial stuff, etc... We as a society have bought into it all, and it's crazy.

desert dirt diva said...

Hey the girls are selling girl scout cookies , you want how many?????

but yes all that anti bacteral stuff is not good for any of us....just the cookies :)

i use lysol for all my cleaning needs.. and of course a good old fashion mop...

Mama Llama said...

Ookay, Brad...you hit my soapbox topic right on the head! And I wrote a huge soliloquy ... and deleted it. It stresses me out too much.

Let's just say I'm soooooo with you and leave it at that! :)

Be well, Brad.

meno said...

I read this too. It's weird that we are so amazed that evolution works in bacteria too.

Good stuff, fellow dirt licker.

tt said...

Ahhhh, Ivory soap. Everytime I see it on the store shelves it makes me smile and remember an art class in elementary school. We had to carve something with a little bar of it. Mine was a whale. I named it 'Moby Dick'. My parents laughed when I told them....as I got older I realized why....silly me, I was just thinking soap and water. LoL

Betcha smell great!

Jamie said...

Ivory soap makes me think of art class in elementry school, too.

I am right there with you on your opinions, although I give in to the cleaning convenience more than I should.

Happy Thursday Brad. :)

Golden To Silver Val said...

Case in point: A family down the road with about a dozen kids in a teeny tiny house...the house, as well as the kids were always dirty. Those kids were the healthiest ones in the area...they NEVER got sick. There IS such a thing as being TOO clean....and our society with its OCD mentality, as well as pushing fears of "offending" has really made people think if they aren't 'germ free' and their houses sterile, they are bad people/parents/workers/friends ...whatever. Good Post, Brad...sweet Ivory baby. xxoo

zirelda said...

Right there with you. We can't build an immunity to anything unless we are exposed to it. And if we take a lot of drugs to heal ourselves our bodies have no need to do it for us.

I'd rather be dirty thank you!

Well to a point......

Gin said...

I'm sort of a clean hand freak. I'm not the least bit afraid to get my hands dirty, but I can't stand for them to stay that way. Being a bus driver who's stuck on the bus even if I have to handle a spit soaked mitten or wipe boogers off the windows...with no way to wash my hands, I use hand sanitizer almost every day. I know all the pitfalls, but I still use it. I try not to use it more than I need to, but if I touch something one of these kids slobbered, snotted or boogered on, I really need it! However, I use natural soap at home and never use the sanitizer if have access to water and soap.

Jenny said...

Less is more, so I try to NOT overuse anything (except for cookies) I've started only using shampoo every other day on my hair, and it's made such an improvement. I still it wet and rub with warm water, but less chemicals on my brain, the better.

happyone said...

Amen! I agree with you!!!

Unknown said...

Lol.