I have been swimming for many years and what I have found to be very effective is to space your swimming times. So I swim on Mondays and Thursdays for one hr instead of three to four half hour swims. I also use non-petrol vaseline jelly on my face and neck after sunscreen. I wet my hair in the shower and put cream rinse then my swim cap (silicone), this helps tremendously! Swimming is so good for you, keep it up!!

I swim outdoors all year long, because I live near San Francisco, so I do not smell the chlorine as much. But you have the beaches in the summer and the warm waters of the Atlantic, the Pacific Ocean here is freezing cold even in the summer. Salt water swimming is so much better for your face and body!! Good luck to you!!!

Also, there are products you can buy for removing chlorine in the tub and shower. Lifekind products from Grass Valley,Ca.

An epsom salt bath can help counteract chlorine. I've heard anywhere from 1/4 c. to 2 cups of epsom salt, but you may want to google for more information. I've also read that you should soak at least 20 minutes.

I have a great recipe for chelating heavy metals from your body. Heavy metal poisoning is rampant. It is a major cause of hormonal imbalances, cancer, thyroid problems, neurological disturbances, learning problems, depression, food allergies, parasite, etc. This recipe is not only easy to make and really yummy, but it removes heavy metals from your body by eating just two teaspoons daily for three weeks.

Cilantro Pesto
4 cloves raw garlic
1/3 cup raw Brazil nuts (soaked overnight)
1/3 cup raw sunflower seeds (soaked overnight)
1/3 cup raw pumpkin seeds (soaked overnight)
2 cups packed fresh raw cilantro
2/3 cup raw, cold-pressed olive oil
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons kelp granules
Sea salt to taste
Process the cilantro and flaxseed oil in a blender until the cilantro is chopped. Add the garlic, nuts and seeds, dulse and lemon juice and mix until the mixture is finely blended into a paste. Add a pinch of sea salt to taste and blend again. Store in dark glass jars if possible. It freezes well.

RE: Recipe for Cilantro Pesto by Robyn Cornwell

The directions say to process the cilantro and flaxseed oil but the ingredients list gives olive oil not flaxseed. Does it matter which I use. Also, in the statement "Add the garlic, nuts and seeds, dulse and lemon juice ......" what is dulse? I would like to try this recipe but want to make sure I understand it first.

Sorry about the confusion on the cilantro recipe. You can use flaxseed oil. However, since flaxseed (whether ground or in oil form) is so unstable I prefer to use olive oil, and changed the recipe to that (without changing the directions). And, the original recipe called for dulse, which is a form of seaweed. However, dulse is usually packaged in a damp form of leaf, and so I use the kelp granules instead. Kelp is just another type of seaweed, keeps well since it is dry, and is easier to use, so I changed the recipe accordingly. Obviously, I typed the directions into the blog without thinking!

Bath in epsom salt bath, or rub your body with the magnesium lotion before you swim.

I am not familiar with magnesium lotion. I have been using a lotion, but Magnesium is my friend and would love a referance for an unscented magnesium lotion.

Robyn or anyone- can children eat the Cilantro Pesto. Also, does the person feel terrible during the 3 wks? Thank you

Have you tried the new salt water pools people are installing? The salt creates it own chlorine.

If you own your own property or land. Just dig a big hole and fill with water. Here are a few sites that tell you exactly how to keep your water clean and clear.

www.grit.com/article/2007/07/Swimming-Hole.html

wwww.motherearthnews.com/Nature-Community/2002-08-01/Natural-Swimming-Pools.aspx

There are even people who will build one for you. Example

www.naturalswimmingpools.com

If that doesn't interest you. Find a natural body of water near you, in which to swim. The beach, neighbor's pond ,river, lake, creek.

It is good to try and reduce chemical absorption, but going all natural is always better.

Helpful hints: It is easy to build a solar water heater. You may try simple, free, or low cost methods of keeping your natural pool warmer.

Clorine free swimming pool for a couple of months now with copper/silver/zinc ionizer. Keeps a measurable trace of copper ions to kill algea, and silver ions to kill bacteria (like our space program, to purify drinking water). Pool has never been cleaner. Hair and skin never felt better and nothing to burn our eyes! We no longer play in an atmosphere of high density clorine vapor. Search copper, silver ionizer. No more chemicals. Many articles of information on the web. Jeff

My 18 year old son has been swimming competitively since age 5 age has "chlorine allergies." We have tried many things to help with indoor swimming since the team usually has to practice early in a.m. when chlorine is strongest. One product we have found that helps with dry brittle hair and skin issues is "Tate's Natural Conditioner They also make a Shampoo). It is dye free, fragrance free. We order it from Willoughby Ohio. Our son was the only one who didn't have straw hair and his diarrhea is less frequent. The other team members have started to us it too. It does have fruits and pine needles and hazel nut as a few of the ingredients so read the ingredients list before you purchase...I know people on blood thinners must not eat nuts but I don't know if the hazel nuts in the conditioner would increase the thinning action of the medications like it does when nuts are eaten.

As another plus for the Tate's product, I am a full-figured woman and having hot flashes. Since using the conditioner as a lotion under and on my breasts I don't sweat and have reactions to the elastic in my bras as much.

One other note about swimming, especially if you do it daily or twice a day as swim teams do, watch the enamel on the teeth of children. The research I did showed the chlorine may erode the enamel near the gum lines. So anything to help keep the teeth strong and healthy would be good. The dentist blamed it on carbonated beverages but it is more likely all the "sports drinks" they need to stay hydrated added to the effect of the chlorine in the indoor pools. The dentist did read the articles about the effects of chlorine and adjusted his care as a result.

Hi I am way over in Australia and have come across this problem many times through my own experiences and my children's experiences. One of children has eczema so swimming in chlorinated pools was a nightmare. I struggled with this as I am an advocative for learn to swim programmes. Anyway... I finally or recently found a product online Swimmer's Skin this acts as a barrier lotion. The ingredients lets see... I'll just get the bottle : calendula. carrot extract, aloe vera, Vitamin E, grape seed oil. There was no screaming when I put the lotion on my son and he swam for nearly two hours in the indoor chlorinated pool.. that was amazing. Not cheap though but I sincerely think it mabe worth it?

www.swimonline.com.au

Can I find Swimmer's Skin in Canada or U.S.A. stores?? I have an alergy to chlorine and have not been able to swim in pools for many years.

Thanks
Ann