While I still believe in personal hygiene and will always eat cute animals (if we weren’t supposed to eat them they wouldn’t be made of meat) I have learned about two great products from Hippies. One product I have been using for a couple of years and the other one I just bough today (thanks to a recommendation from Leo Babauta, author of the Zen Habits blog) and am excited to test out.
The first product is Lafe’s Organic Deodorant (amazon link) and I have been using it for a couple of years now. You may be skeptical thinking an organic deodorant can’t work (I know I was before I tried it) but this one certainly does. Between jogging, ultimate frisbee, backpacking, and speaking in front of groups I have put Lafes natural deodorant to the test and it does work as well as any other deodorant I have ever used. To me the biggest benefits of using Lafes is that the deodorant lasts forever (easily will last a few years saving me more money for Starbucks), doesn’t leave streaks on anything, and is better for you than traditional deodorant. Lafes deodorant contains mostly antibacterial fighting minerals and natural oils that prevent odor and are free of any parabens, propylene glycol, synthetic preservatives, artificial fragrances, or petroleum-based chemicals if you have to avoid any of them.
The new product I just bought today is Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap (amazon link) and the reason I bought it is because of Leo’s claim that was all he takes with him for bathing, washing his clothes, and even brushing his teeth (read his Minimalist Travel blog post here). I purchased the Peppermint flavor at the recommendation of the employee at Whole Foods and will report more once I have actually tried it.
There is always something you can learn from other people, especially those who are very different than yourself. What have you learned or started doing based upon someone outside your normal groups of friends or peers?


{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
There was a forum I visited and the thing to do was to not use shampoo — just wash your hair with conditioner. They swore by it and said their hair had never looked better. I tried it for a few months and had the worst hair of my life.
I believe that, you have to watch out for the “I don’t shower” or the “I never brush my teeth” crowd.
Did you learn this stuff from your neighbors, perhaps?! lol
oh…and just a heads up…the deoderant doesn’t really work. j/k lol
You aren’t supposed to tell everyone it doesn’t work… how am I going to make any money off sales??!?!?
I just thought I’d give you that hint to let u know why people are avoiding you…you won’t get any sales if u stink.
j/k (you don’t really stink,btw)