Stubble Free Sustainability

Legs, armpits, beards, "other" places... Most adults in modern Western society shave something on our bodies to remove unwanted hair.  And according to Wikipedia, we've been shaving in some way, shape, or form for a long time-- since the Bronze Age.
In 1895, the concept of the safety razor was conceived by King C. Gillette and the arduous (or artful) task of shaving was revolutionized.  Then came along Schick, Bic, and then the electric shavers all to add to the list of modern conveniences.  And, well, you know the rest.  Or do you?  What about all of those single-use plastic disposable razors that we use once or twice, then pitch into the garbage and landfills to remain in perpetuity?

Behold the Power of Borax!

Being the eco-stepper that I am, I am always looking for all natural, non-toxic and inexpensive ways to clean my house, do laundry, freshen the air and all that goes with housework.  Since I have tried Borax in my homemade laundry soap and dishwasher powder, I am learning that it's actually quite the handy product to have on hand.  Wikipedia explains the many uses of Borax, far beyond those most would consider for every day household chores.  To pare it down a bit, here are some interesting uses for Borax:

Voluntary Simplicity: Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich

 (Title Borrowed From:  Voluntary Simplicity: Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich) 

Mother Earth News

Lately, it seems that there are several recurring themes in the quest to live a fuller, more purpose-driven life AND be kind to Mother Earth at the same time by being less materialistic and less "stuff-focused."  One of these themes is Voluntary Simplicity.  It can be described many ways-- frugal, authentic, minimalist, and a whole host of other adjectives that fall under the umbrella of taking "eco-steps" to living better, being happier and helping the environment.  And while many may think that choosing to live a simpler, less complicated life means "giving up" or "going without," there is plenty of evidence out there to support the exact opposite.