Going Green with Palm-Free Soap

(Pic courtesy of Whitebox)

About a month ago, I made a conscious decision to begin making palm-free soaps. That means no palm oil or no palm kernel oil. Why is that you may ask? Well, I've been really re-evaluating how I can personally make a contribution to going and staying green. It's been a personal struggle for me because I've never been conscious of my wasteful habits before now. I recently read that the deforestation of peatlands and rainforests to make room for palm oil plantations have contributed to environmental degradation and significant greenhouse gas emissions. In plain speak, the plantation of palm oil is messing with the Earth's atmosphere and temperature. You may think to yourself that this is so petty, why even go there, but I feel passionately about making a difference in some small way. With that being said, I've been looking for substitute palm oil recipes.

Palm oil's main benefit is to soothe and moisturize dry skin. It's solid at room temperature and contributes to the bar's hardness. Palm kernel oil's benefit is also to make the bar of soap hard, but it also produces big, fluffy bubbles. Coconut and palm kernel oil has very similar properties so that's one substitute right there. Palm oil is one of the "Big 3" of soap making along with coconut and olive oils. The rule of thumb for the "perfect bar" of soap is to condition, lather, and be hard. The harder your bar, the longer the soap will last (coupled with proper drainage after each use.) Since I've started making soap, I've been preconditioned (through my various readings) to believe that palm oil is a must for making soap. To that I say "Bullsh*t!!! I found a couple of really good recipes courtesy of Gracefruit that do not use or require palm oil to satisfy the Big 3. One of my main substitutions is going to be cocoa butter. I can't get enough of it!

Just a heads up that I won't have many posts this week because I'm going to be on a soaping rampage. I haven't made soap in over a month, and I finally ordered some supplies from Columbus Foods that are arriving today! I plan to make at least 5 batches of soap by Friday. Of course I'll post pics next week. Until then....

Going Green...In Baby Steps

Going green seems to be the latest trend in business and in homes everywhere, but shouldn't being eco-friendly or eco-conscious be the norm? I'm not a "tree-hugger" (my sister hates when I say that), but I do what I can. I light all my delicious-smelling soy candles instead of turning on the lights. I don't leave the water running when I'm washing my face or brushing my teeth. I turn my thermostat down to 62 degrees when I'm at work during the day (I know Pepper is cursing me for that). And I unplug all my unused appliances and electronic equipment (that blinking DVD light kills me though!)

I'm saying all this to say that going green doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming. For example, I re-use all the shipping boxes, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts of all the supplies I order. I don't have business cards (I give out small samples with a sticker containing my web link instead.) I don't have fancy packaging (too expensive anyway.) I take all my plastic bottles and soda cans to work to recycle because we don't have a recycling program in my complex (something to think about.) I also do all my financial business online. I haven't mailed a bill in years and I haven't been a victim of fraud (knock on wood) yet!

I encourage you to look for ways to be greener, and share your tips with us. Oh, I'm also phasing out the use of palm (oil and kernel) in my soap and body products. I've been reading a lot about how the destruction of palm trees are destroying ecosystems. I can't in good conscience contribute to the destruction of a people's lifestyle and habitat. I'm experimenting with palm-free recipes, and I welcome yours if you have any you'd like to share. So, in parting, green is clean!