Don't Sweat It

Hello?  Is anyone there?

I've been a bit silent around here lately.  Our pre-moving world is looking a bit like this:

Boxes, boxes, and more boxes.  Again.

This is a new one:  Boys in Boxes.

With the Big Move planned for this weekend, I am once again packing, planning, and hoping that the house closes on time.  We're five months into this purchase, and it has been one heck of a roller coaster ride.  News on approvals, permits, installations - it changes almost daily.  (Sometimes hourly.)  And with the ups and downs, I do try to keep reasonably calm, aware that this will all be worth it in the end.

Thank goodness for my rock of a Mister, who alternates between a stoic "It will be just fine" attitude, and a "I don't need to stress...you've got that covered."  Either way, he keeps me from sweating it.  Mostly.

As does this stuff:

Okay, we're entering into possible too-much-information territory here, people.  Fair warning.

Does anyone else have issues, like I do, with deoderant/anti-perspirant?  For years, I've struggled with using the hard stuff, worrying about the chemicals, and the possible future health issues associated with them.  I've used the natural stuff too, but the thing is:  None of them, natural or chemical, really worked for me.  And it kind of sucks to be going about your day, worrying that you smell, or that your shirt may be getting just a wee bit damp.  Ew.  Gross, I know.  I did warn you.

So, a few months ago, I happened upon a recipe for homemade deoderant, in The Urban Farm Handbook.  While this reeked of the ultimate hippie-dom (excuse the pun), I decided to try making some.  I really didn't have anything to lose.  I mean, it's deoderant, after all.  And my usual bag of tricks wasn't cutting it.

Guess what?  This works.  It's a mere two ingredients, that many of you probably have around your house right this very moment.  It takes all of two minutes to mix up a batch.  And in the midst of crazy-busy life, you won't sweat it.

That's good enough for me.  Here you go:

Homemade Coconut Oil Deoderant - adapted from The Urban Farm Handbook

Ingredients

2 tsp coconut oil

2 tsp baking soda

If your coconut oil is solidified, set the jar in a bowl of hot water to liquify it.  Mix the oil and baking soda, and store in a container with a snug-fitting lid.  (I use an old glass lotion jar.)

In colder weather, the deoderant tends to solidify, because of the coconut oil.  Simply rest it in a sink of hot water for a minute, or bring it in the shower with you.  It will be ready to apply by the time you're towelling dry.

To apply, scoop a pea-sized amount on your fingertips, and rub it in.  It feels a little gritty when you first start using it, I will admit.  But given that it works so well, it's worth it.  Also, coconut oil is crazy good for your skin, and it smells absolutely lovely.  When I switched to making my own, it took about 2 weeks for my body to adjust, and I've been using it for about four months now.  

This batch lasts for about two weeks.  I don't make more than that, because I figure the baking soda might lose its effectiveness.  (That's just a theory.)

Don't sweat it.  Make your own.

Have a great day.