Homemade Deodorant

I guess I should give a tmi alert before I go on but I have sensitive underarms. So sensitive in fact, that every few months I have an allergic reaction to deodorants/antiperspirants. This results in itching, bumpy skin that develops hyper-pigmentation. Not a good look. Especially if it happens during the summer months when going sleeveless and shaving are requisite in the hot south.

When I had my last allergic reaction I went to my favorite source for information. I bet you are thinking Google, good guess. Actually, I asked my friends on twitter for recommendations. I received all sorts of suggestions - crystals deodorant, Tom's of Maine, Dove sensitive skin. Nothing new there so I was going to go back to my old standby crystal deodorant until @PVATL suggested homemade deodorant and linked to the Angry Chicken blog and recipe.

I was immediately intrigued. I have used plain baking soda for deodorant in a pinch, but this recipe called for the addition of shea and cocoa butter which both sooth and help the deodorant adhere to the underarms. Add some essential oils and everything is set! I needed to take things up a notch because deodorant is good but I also need an antiperspirant. I know that mainstream antiperspirants are not good for us but I sweat like a pig. There is no denying it, so I need something to cut down on the sweat.

At this point I did a Google search and found discovered that Sage is a natural antiperspirant. I ordered three essential oils - mandarin orange, vanilla and sage. I also placed an order for canning jars, shea butter and cocoa butter. I had corn starch and baking soda in my pantry and decided to leave out the vitamin E.

Once I had all of the ingredients I just melted the shea and cocoa butter, added the other ingredients, and the essential oils. I placed it all in the canning jar and let it cool in my refrigerator.

The outcome? Spectacular. My deodorant smells very similar to an orangesicle, remember that ice cream? And the scent is overpowering but it is nice to catch a whiff of it when I initially put it on. The deodorant is a cream that is reminiscent of Tussy - not sure if you are familiar with it but as a child Tussy was my first cream deodorant. The shea and cocoa butter harden at room tempurature so it is necessary to scoop a nickle size amount into your hand and rub until it melts. Once melted it spreads really nicely.

In use the deodorant lasts as long as most natural deodorants. I can generally go eight hours without reapplying. And I haven't had the deodorant completely fail on me so that is great. The only thing I need to figure out is a different container for the deodorant. It is too big for me to carry-on when I am traveling and since it is glass I don't want to pack it in my checked bags.

Overall, I am very happy with my deodorant and in the future will experiment with other scent combinations. Some people have even asked if I'd make a batch or two for gifts. I highly recommend natural deodorant, if you decide to make it let me know how you like it!

Recipe (reprinted from Angry Chicken)

3 Tablespoons shea butter
3 Tablespoons baking soda
2 Tablespoons corn starch
2 Tablespoons cocoa butter
2 vitamin E oil gel caps ( I didn't use this)
Essential Oil

Melt all the ingredients (except the oils) and gave it a good stir (about 30 seconds in the microwave). Then add the oils, stir again, and pour in jar.

Place in refrigerator to set.

This recipe filled a 1/4 pint jar.

Holiday Cards in November?

Shocking. Yes, shocking because it is November and I already have my holiday cards. I'd love to say it was because I am uber organized and this is my norm but I'd be lying. I have never been big on the whole holiday card thing and apparently my friends aren't either. I usually receive cards from my college and graduate school, one or two friends and that is it. The only reason I have felt remotely compelled to send holiday cards lately is to provide updated photos to people that want to see my son.

My usual holiday card ritual has been - open the mailbox, see a card and come to the realization that I need to get my butt in gear and make a holiday card. The only year this year is different is because I am fortunate enough to have friends in high places. Okay, a friend at Tiny Prints that gave me the opportunity to try out the service.

I love the holiday card that I came up with and what really was impressive is that when I placed my order I was sent an email informing me that my photo is blurry. Although I knew the photo was blurry I think it is great customer service because it is clear that all of the orders are reviewed by a person before completion.

In addition to my cards, I also ordered really nice envelopes and matching address labels. Now I just have to make my way to the post office so that I can purchase the stamps. Um, yeah - check in on my after Thanksgiving to see if I've done that.

Remember my procrastinating ways? Yeah. I'm all over that. Stat!

In the meantime, aren't my regular address labels cute? I ordered these some time ago and I love the design. I used the regular delivery process and received them in about a week. However, if I needed an order sooner there are express delivery options.

Tiny Prints has a lot more to offer and if you are looking for stationary I suggest checking them out. And I'm not just saying that because they are my friends - as a matter of fact, remember that Happy Gram I received the other week? Primrose Schools chose Tiny Prints to make their cards and I had nothing to do with that!

A big thanks to Tiny Prints for providing me with the opportunity to try out the service.

Rehab

I remember when Amy Winehouse released Rehab. I'd sing along to this song in the wee hours of the morning after nursing my son. I found it difficult to get back to sleep after our nursing sessions and VH1 provided me with a great musical soundtrack to relax to. This version of Rehab is Amy singing along with an acoustic guitar for accompaniment. Her voice is a musical instrument and the pure, unadultarated beauty of her unique sound is undeniable.

I believe this song leveraged Amy's career because it is so raw, real and the simple truth. Even without knowing her story, it is clear that she truly has battled with addiction. And the emotions behind the words are what draws us all in.

Like Amy, I have an addiction. Thankfully it is not to illegal substances, or even alcohol, but I am addicted to food. Food and I have a funny relationship, I know the right foods to eat and am aware that I need exercise. At the beginning of the year I led the Modern Mom Challenge and not long after I participated in the EA SPORTS Active Challenge. I experienced good results but am not where I want to be.

Emotional eating that includes ice cream, cookies, and sweets keep me from passing the ten pound threshold. However, I am refusing to make any more excuses. No one is forcing me to go into rehab but I have decided to focus on my health. There are far too many things that I can prevent with exercise and good eating habits. I am not living for myself anymore, I have a family to consider.

So, today I started the EA SPORTS Active More Workouts 6 week Challenge. Once again I am joining ten other bloggers on this journey to fitness and weight loss. I have already been motivated and inspired by many of them and love having a support system during my journey. In addition to fitness, I will also change my eating and will be partnering with Jenny Craig to make that happen. Along the way I'll let you know how I am doing in my own "rehab" I think that when the New Year rolls around I may surprise you..........