Back to Basics

I'm sometimes amazed at the sheer volume and vast selection of products available for sale these days. For instance, I might head to the drugstore for some toothpaste and discover that not only is there whitening toothpaste available, but "whitening toothpaste flavored with cloves grown in Indonesia and tinted with the bark of freshly harvested baby bamboo leaves." Okay, not really. But sometimes it feels that way.

One of the things that I love most about very early springtime is the newness of it all. Not full-blown spring when everything is already green and blooming, but rather those first few moments when there's just a hint of what's to come. In those moments, I want to somehow embrace the freshness and discard everything that seems so crowded with chemicals or superfluous ingredients, that it's no longer recognizable.

Those are the days when I want to go back to basics. To use only products with natural or as close to natural ingredients as possible. And this seems to be such a great time of year to try to do just that.

So before you go back to your bathtub full of chemicals, consider doing the same thing. Some easy ways to begin include:

• Use coconut oil instead of moisturizer. It not only smells great, but it tackles everything from ragged cuticles to sealing split ends.
• Essential oil for everything else. From helping with headaches or muscle aches, to invigorating you after a workout, to soothing your senses after a long stressful day, essential oils can both simplify and enhance everything from body oil to unscented shower gel.
• Baking powder, Epsom salts and so many more. Did you ever pay attention to the usage instructions on some of the products you use every single day? Well, you should. Some of the most basic items can also be used for dozens of other purposes. Cheap, easy and affordable.