Reflection of Module 8

Of all of my posts I think this post is going to be the easiest.  I say that because I have been working on the energy study for what feels like months and it is a topic that comes up in almost every conversation outside of work.  I am thinking that when this class is over I give it just two more weeks and then I will get back to talking about my infant twins again.

The energy self study I decided to try and reduce the number of plastic bottles that I use and would eventually go out to trash or recycling.  I started by calculating the amount of shampoo and conditioner I used on a weekly basis.  While finishing the bottles I researched the best method of cleansing my hair without the use of heavy chemicals and detergents.  I mixed 1 TBS baking soda and 1 cup water and placed it in a condiments dispenser, and placed it in the bathroom.  First I ran out of shampoo, so the following morning I put some of the new mixture into my hair and rubbed it into my scalp.  Unsure of how it worked I just used a little conditioner and went on with my day.  That day my hair felt a little more oily then usual but I just went to work and did what I had to do.  The next two days I did the same thing.  Being out of conditioner now I mixed up 1 TBS apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of  water, placed it in a condiments container labeled ACV in the bathroom.

I waited a whole day unsure if I really wanted to do it.  In the morning before work I tried it.  My hair felt clean to the touch and I was wide awake by the smell of ACV that everyone on the internet promised would go away when the hair dried.  My first few hours in the day were the best, my hair was light, full, bouncy and clean.  As the day progressed my hair started to become oily.

I read all about the "transition" period.  And my fear was realized, I was going through it.  My hair had been used to the harsh detergents in the shampoo that my body was producing and excessive amount of oil to compensate to the daily stripping of the oils.  On the internet people say that this transition period could last from just a few weeks to a couple of months.  I spend the majority of two weeks with my hair in a pony tail.  With those two weeks I believe the transition period is over.

When I started to calculate the use of plastic bottles I realized that this experiment was so much bigger.  I actually do not go through a great deal of bottles.  I do save some money and am bringing less chemicals into my house.  The best thing is that I have to wash my hair less frequently, and therefor using less water.  I went from washing my hair six times a week to only four.  My hair feels wonderful and can last many days between each wash.

Was my experiment a success?

YES