Towards a cleaner, healthier and organic 2017

For quite some time, my family and I have embarked on the journey towards eliminating chemicals from our everyday life. Slowly yet steadily we are trying, exploring - one product at a time. Most of my time is spent checking out various sites which deal with selling chemical-free and natural products. I have come to realise that a drastic change as this requires a lot of groundwork and research. In spite of our interest and research, there are many products which I cannot rid of - lipsticks, perfumes and other such. I did find cosmetics which claim to be 'natural' but I am not quite satisfied with the results. Someone suggested that I stop wearing lipsticks and I have also been contemplating on this but still to arrive at a decision - So far, I'm happy to let my lips soak the chemicals.

In my early stages of research the website Mindbodygreen was helpful to me in many ways to simplify things, eat mindfully and practice some lovely affirmations. Though these days, I only visit MBG occasionally, I remember the wonderful lessons I had learnt from there. I guess I had taken all that I have needed and moved on.

One big step which we as a family decided to take was in the section of food - trying to consume foodstuff that were local and nutritious. I must admit that Broccoli, Strawberries and the like are also consumed by us and they are definitely not local but healthy. Another product which I have added to my daily cooking is using Virgin coconut oil. Earlier I was under the impression that using coconut oil for cooking would increase the cholesterol levels but discussing with nutritionists and reading literature on this topic helped me abate my doubts. But I had to look hard to procure pure coconut oil. It was then that my blogger pal, Vishnu Vardhan started his venture named Indian Super Heroes, based in Coimbatore, committed to providing authentic Indian organic stuff to people in search of the same. The concept of ISH is something that is simple and revolutionary - working with local people to source, grow and provide organic products to people, markets and society. Small scale ventures have always caught my interest and attention because they deal directly with the farmers without the interference of middle-men and commissions. And, the products are made with utmost care and love unlike the large-scale machines which are quite impersonal and stiff. And another reason for us to go organic is trying to support local and native products.

My first purchase with ISH 500 ml of coconut oil and a peppermint soap and I am excited now as I write this because many more products have been introduced by Vishnu Vardhan and his efficient women team. The soap does not dry the skin like the other famous soaps like Lux, Dove, Santoor and so on. It has a mild fragrance and a soothing effect on the skin. I have also previously used only handmade soaps procured from different sources and glad to now find it in ISH.

I am also looking to procure traditional and local items like millets, organic turmeric, wild honey and a wide range of products. There was a time I used to order items from ten different places and await their arrival but now after ISH, I guess I could order items from the same place. The website is still in its nascent stage but Vishnu tells me that it will soon be fortified.

If interested, you could procure products from Indian Super Heroes here:

Website: http://indiansuperheroes.com/ & http://indianorganic.store/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SuperHeroesIndia/?fref=ts

The Focus Areas of ISH

I would like to know if you have been going organic and chemical-free too. If yes, what are some simple changes that you have made in your home and life-style?

Relaxation has a new definition

Writing academic essays can be quite taxing and often one needs a break which is short, does not involve getting up from one's seat and also quite colourful. Since most of my papers are written during the night, after 10 pm or so, I don't see much when I look outside the window from my sitting position. Facebook was one such break for me but sometimes the overpowering pictures and messages that are done-to-death tire me. Now I have found another unique way of giving myself power-breaks.

I window-shop the online jewellery sites. Surprised? Here's how I do it.

Being a sucker for silver and ethnic jewellery, I have 'liked' many jewellery pages on Facebook. Most often these pages lead to a website which has many designs on one page and so one doesn't have to click to go to the next design. Simply scrolling will do the work.

I open four to five tabs at the same time. In the first break, I lustily look at the designs. I drool, yearn, one finger waiting to hit the comment and type - "Please book this one for me," until reality in a tiny voice says, "Already you bought three sets this month. Better get back to work." I chide that tiny voice and get back not without glancing a furtive look which means, "I will come back later" (in a whisper).

The writing resumes.

An hour and a half passes.

This time it's another online site which sells wonderful handmade pieces. The same process begins again. I remember the tiny voice that warned me earlier. I promise myself not to give in to the lust of the eyes for there begins everything. Eve started it all. She looked at the beautiful fruit, lusted for it and egged on by the vile serpent ate the forbidden fruit. Eve had only the fruit to combat unlike women like me who have to battle out so many distractions on a daily basis. I know that I sound extremely urban and a hungry consumer of online goods when I talk of my paltry temptations but only those who have experienced it know the intensity of what I'm talking about.

Slowly and steadily, I treat my wee breaks as only breaks to satisfy my curiosity of the cute wares. Period. No buying and no giving in till the next month.

My online revelry continues . . .

What's your online temptation story esp in relation to online shopping?

Images: Vinod VV Photography

Postscript: All images used in this post belongs to Vinod Velayudhan, a photographer who records beautiful moments and delivers precious memories. Visit his site vinodvv.com to view his pictures.