Time with My Daughter...Cooking....and Making Deodorant

Today I have no food recipe for you, although my daughter and I cooked up a storm.  It is proving to be a wonderful day!  My daughter is home from college, which makes my home complete, for now.  While the littles were off at school and my oldest at work, we had the opportunity to spend some quality one-on-one time together making recipes that I've had on my blog; ones that she missed eating while she was away.  As we cooked, she wrote out the things she liked in her journal so that she can recreate them while she's in her apartment at school.  Bread, although made in a bread machine and not like my grandma used to do, is still baking in the bread machine, and will be buttered with fresh whipped butter.

The first thing we made today, however, was not a food, it was a health-conscious, home made deodorant.  This was suggested by our friend Lauren, who has made it, used it and likes the outcome.  So, we thought we'd give it a try.  Because we started this first project after showers were taken and our regular deodorant already used, we decided to use my hubby as our guinea pig.  He applied it earlier in the day, after his shower, and will be teaching tonight at a Hapkido class, so a good testing subject, not that I will be doing any under-arm sniff testing when he returns, mind you (I will only go so far).  He does, however, claim that the deodorant is working well..and when I hug him he does have an air of lavender about him.    He'll just have to give me his honest opinion of the product after the day is done.  I will have the opportunity tomorrow to test this product myself, as will my daughter.

With all of the worrisome articles published about the health maladies caused by the toxins in most deodorants, this alternative is something that I am giving serious consideration to.  If this home-made version has what it takes, then not only will it be a healthier choice for my family, but it will also be more cost effective.

If you'd like to give it a go and try it yourself, here is the home-made deodorant recipe: (borrowed from PassionateHomemaking.com).


*Note:  In our deodorant mixture we used cornstarch and a few drops of lavender essential oil.  If you decide to make your own supply, leave a comment and tell us what you thought of it.



Ingredients:

6-8 Tbsp Coconut oil (solid state)
*1/4 cup baking soda - (UPDATED:  minus out two tablespoons from the 1/4 cup!)
1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch (arrowroot is preferred)

Directions:

1. Combine portions of baking soda & arrowroot powder.
2. Slowly add coconut oil and work it in with a spoon or hand blender until it maintains a firm but pliable texture. It should be about the same texture as commercial deodorant, solid but able to be applied easily. If it is too wet, add further arrowroot powder/cornstarch to thicken.
3. You can either scoop this recipe into your old deodorant dispensers or place in a small container with lid and apply with fingers with each use. Makes about 1 cup. This recipe lasts about 3 months for two people with regular daily use.

Note:  go to PassionateHomemaking.com for more information and answers to some Q&A.