Around the Bluhmin’ Town

By

Judy Bluhm

How natural are you? Many folks are committed to “giving up” all chemicals. Okay, I could try that. But I do wear lipstick. And I dye my hair. There, I have said it – all secrets are out – I am admitting to you, Dear Readers, that some of my “beauty” comes from a tube and a bottle. Guess I am not alone. But I have a grandson (who I hope is not reading this column) who believes that all chemicals are bad and only natural or organic will do. Of course, he is probably correct, and we are killing ourselves with chemicals, sprays, cleaning and beauty products, GMOs in the foods we eat . . . the list goes on.

My grandson has “gone green” and it better be” natural” or he won’t use it or eat it. When I told him some people I know (me) like makeup and hair dye he said, “No one needs any of that.” Ha! This is coming from a young man who might not recognize his grandmother if she went “natural!” Also, gluten and dairy are on his hit-list. Well, I pointed out to him that his Great-Grandma Floss lived to age ninety-seven, survived lead-based paint, insecticides, hair perms, red meat, butter and plenty of sugar.

I have tried avoiding chemicals. Like spraying peppermint to keep spiders away (doesn’t work) or putting cayenne pepper on plant leaves to keep the squirrels at bay (they could care less) and citrus in the barn to ward off flies (why bother). Yet, natural cleaning products are pretty good, organic fruits and veggies are on my list, and I buy cage-free chicken eggs.

I was in the grocery store and witnessed a couple fighting over the organic fruit. The man said anything “thick skinned” doesn’t need to be organic because according to scientists it is a waste of money. Things like cucumbers are thin-skinned and they can absorb pesticides and should always be organic. The wife yelled, “I only will eat organic” and the husband screamed back, “that’s because you love to waste money!” People, stop arguing in the produce section! It may upset the tomatoes, or those of us who are “thin-skinned.”

I did overhear two ladies sparring over eggs. One lady was grabbing a dozen white eggs when the woman next to her said, “Those eggs are from abused, caged chickens. You need to buy a brand of blue-colored eggs that are healthier for you and the chickens.” The lady with the white eggs hissed, “I don’t have ten bucks for blue eggs so chickens can be happy.” A few more words were exchanged but I moved on to the canned good section, where I figured I would be safe from all conflicts and fist fights.

My grandson asked if I ever thought about using henna on my hair. No! And any more mention of hair coloring and I might be “seeing red,” which is a lot worse than “being red.” Hmmm, more research is required on how to live chemically-free. I will report back after I try to go completely natural. Right after my nail appointment.

Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local realtor. Contact Judy at [email protected] or visit www.aroundthebluhmintown.com.