Eliminating deodorant/antiperspirant from my life has been a long-time goal. Stinking has not been a goal, and so it has only been recently that the planets have aligned for the good of my pits (and my entire system, I believe).
My mom recently made deodorant using the recipe that follows, and after several weeks, I am amazed and delighted by its effectiveness. I smell better than ever, I am happy to report.
Here's the recipe my mom used:
5-6 Tbsp Coconut oil
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
a couple of drops of lavender
Combine equal portions of baking soda & cornstarch. Then, slowly add coconut oil and work it in with a spoon until it maintains the consistency you desire. You can place it in a small container with lid and apply with fingers with each use. This recipe lasts about 3 months for two people with regular daily use.
If you experience irritation/redness when you apply it after shaving, add a little more coconut oil to the mix to reduce the % of baking soda. (But you need to have baking soda in it, because that's what kills the stink.)
I have noticed that if I have an especially sweaty day, and a short-sleeved shirt seam that rubs under my armpit, I can get a rash. Otherwise, I am A-OK. My mom added some more cornstarch to the second batch she made, and put it in an old roll-up deodorant container, which I keep in the refrigerator. If left unrefrigerated, the consistency is that of a loose salve that you have to shake to mix each time. If refrigerated, the consistency is that of a very firm stick deodorant.
In summary, I am happy to report that:
1. I and my clothes don't stink
2. I am not stifling my sweat response at the location of important lymph nodes
3. I am not subjecting myself to a dangerous daily dose of aluminum
4. I am using a product that has familiar, economical ingredients
~Leslie
Janie's review:
I really like it! I am a little sweaty. I don't notice that I have anything on--it goes on smooth.
Here is a similar recipe with a video showing how to make the deodorant:
Here a few links to get you thinking about whether or not to use commerical deodorants and antiperspirants:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/01/28/deodorant-cancer.aspx
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/02/16/aluminum-lurks-in-crystal-deodorants.aspx
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Thursday, 9/30/10
The guys fashioned a new ladder...
Morning snack...
Morning community time in their special place in nature...
Miss Ellen nurturing and visiting...
It's Stars Moon Harvest Week!
"M" is for "moon", of course...except when it's "luna"!
Making blueberry smoothies...
Show me your smoothie smile!
This guy was busy saving the universe!
Coloring stars with beeswax crayons...
Babies activating their vitamin D and taking in the world in the late afternoon sun...
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Menu, Week 9/27-10/1/10
Monday
AM: organic grapes, dry organic cereal
Lunch: organic split pea soup with Texas smoked sausage (nitrite/nitrate free), garlic bagel chips
PM: blueberry smoothie (organic blueberries, organic yogurt)
Tuesday
AM: organic oatmeal with cinnamon and organic sugar, organic milk
Lunch: taco salad: organic black beans, organic lettuce, colby cheese, organic tortilla chips
PM: organic popcorn, cheddar cheese cubes
Wednesday
AM: sunrise energy bars, banana
Lunch: homemade organic vegetable soup, homemade organic bread with butter
PM: pretzels and oranges
Thursday
AM: homemade blueberry muffin
Lunch: pasta with meat sauce (organic pasta, organic marinara sauce, Whole Foods ground turkey)
PM: pita chips and organic hummus
Friday
AM: fruit and nut clusters, organic apple slices
Lunch: peanut butter and jelly sandwich (organic peanut butter, organic jam), buttered organic corn
PM: snack mix
AM: organic grapes, dry organic cereal
Lunch: organic split pea soup with Texas smoked sausage (nitrite/nitrate free), garlic bagel chips
PM: blueberry smoothie (organic blueberries, organic yogurt)
Tuesday
AM: organic oatmeal with cinnamon and organic sugar, organic milk
Lunch: taco salad: organic black beans, organic lettuce, colby cheese, organic tortilla chips
PM: organic popcorn, cheddar cheese cubes
Wednesday
AM: sunrise energy bars, banana
Lunch: homemade organic vegetable soup, homemade organic bread with butter
PM: pretzels and oranges
Thursday
AM: homemade blueberry muffin
Lunch: pasta with meat sauce (organic pasta, organic marinara sauce, Whole Foods ground turkey)
PM: pita chips and organic hummus
Friday
AM: fruit and nut clusters, organic apple slices
Lunch: peanut butter and jelly sandwich (organic peanut butter, organic jam), buttered organic corn
PM: snack mix
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Children and Nature...
"As a child, one has that magical capacity to move among the many eras of the earth; to see the land as an animal does; to experience the sky from the perspective of a flower or a bee; to feel the earth quiver and breathe beneath us; to know a hundred different smells of mud and listen unself-consciously to the soughing of the trees."
~Valerie Andrews, A Passion for this Earth
Friday, 9/24/10
Our transistional PreK friends had a lovely time painting in nature--watercolor paintings of trees. What a beautiful moment for these children.
Photos courtesy of Barbra
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Family Week and Farm Field Fun
We have been celebrating families for the past two weeks!
Transitional PreK...
Hannah telling everyone what Abbey says!
Melissa making some noise with the kids at the "beat it" banging station!
*Pictures courtesy of Melissa, Sarah, and Barbra
Gage curled up with his family's pictures...
PreK family display...
Transitional PreK...
Hannah telling everyone what Abbey says!
Melissa making some noise with the kids at the "beat it" banging station!
*Pictures courtesy of Melissa, Sarah, and Barbra
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
I Gave Up, So What? by Dio Miranda
I had been looking into the art of doing nothing just as July 4 holiday approached this year,, because it certainly has some benefits. The pressure of the day had me thinking “What is the plan for today? What are we doing today? Where are we eating?” After a while, so many questions became a bother. Time kept passing by, and eventually we decided that doing NOTHING was the right thing for us on the Fourth of July, and that we were “ok” with it. We, as a family, discovered that art that has become a treasure buried in the sand-- that every now and then, doing nothing brings joy and peace!
Giving up daily duties for a while so I can take time to rest and nourish myself is important. As you have heard me say many times, I cannot give what I do not have. Sometimes doing nothing gives me time to gather myself!
Each day, I wake up in the morning in an attitude of gratitude, immediately read a page of my enlightenment book, brush my teeth, then I jump in the shower and run the upcoming day through my head. I hear the concert of Texas’ “crickets”, and I give thanks for having the ability to hear. J
Keeping the good thoughts, I go on through the start of my day. I think that there is no physician like a cheerful thought. Linking these reminders of positivism with purpose is what moves us forward in this life.
“A strong cannot help a weaker unless the weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong of himself; he must by his own efforts, develop the strength which he admires in others”.
…and you, too, youthful reader, will realize your vision (not the idle wish) of your heart, be it base or beautiful, or a mixture of both, for you always gravitate toward that which you, secretly, most love. Into your hands will be placed the exact results of your thoughts; you will receive that which you earned; no more, no less.
***Allen, James. As Man Thinketh
I plan to share this with my son some day! We need to find some time, then, to think about that which we want. By the way, make sure that you are eating well, as today’s processed foods disrupt the brain’s activities.
The calm man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to adapt himself to others (including our own children): and they in turn, reverence his spiritual strength, and feel that they can learn of him and rely upon him (this is us, parents). The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. The strong, calm man is always loved and revered.
Success from the heart is what many do not talk about, so here I will teach you a technique that I use on myself. Tonight, before you close your eyes to rest on your pillow, breathe through your heart and not your diaphragm as I have suggested before. It is ok to breathe through your diaphragm, but in this particular exercise is ok to do it with the heart. I guarantee you that you will feel better. And, you will feel a different sensation as you connect with yourself.
Research shows that the heart has a little brain connected with our head brain and both maintain a constant two-way dialogue and relationship involving many processes in the brain. They maintain their influence upon one another more than we know. The information they send to one another includes heart signals that can influence a person’s perception, emotional experience and higher cognitive function. This information will hopefully open people’s eyes and hearts to the union and homeostasis (internal balance) that we are part of without excluding the inner power that is in us. The heart brain and the head brain both respond to the thoughts we have and the things that surround us.
A life full of experience has taught me that making these heart-brain connections will contribute to weight loss, strength and decrease fatigue. So, practice and take action!. Enough with the planning and thinking! Let’s first build a foundation by taking time to connect our heart and head brain, to focus on the good around us, and to bring about our deepest dreams by finding time to do “nothing”.
My intentions are that you, become an expert yourself!
***I have shared some of my favorite passages with you in this article. A book that I would encourage to make part of your collection.
Migdoel Miranda
C.HE.K. III
Holistic and Lifestyle Coach II
Performance Enhance Specialist- National Academy of Sports Medicine
Giving up daily duties for a while so I can take time to rest and nourish myself is important. As you have heard me say many times, I cannot give what I do not have. Sometimes doing nothing gives me time to gather myself!
Each day, I wake up in the morning in an attitude of gratitude, immediately read a page of my enlightenment book, brush my teeth, then I jump in the shower and run the upcoming day through my head. I hear the concert of Texas’ “crickets”, and I give thanks for having the ability to hear. J
Keeping the good thoughts, I go on through the start of my day. I think that there is no physician like a cheerful thought. Linking these reminders of positivism with purpose is what moves us forward in this life.
“A strong cannot help a weaker unless the weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong of himself; he must by his own efforts, develop the strength which he admires in others”.
…and you, too, youthful reader, will realize your vision (not the idle wish) of your heart, be it base or beautiful, or a mixture of both, for you always gravitate toward that which you, secretly, most love. Into your hands will be placed the exact results of your thoughts; you will receive that which you earned; no more, no less.
***Allen, James. As Man Thinketh
I plan to share this with my son some day! We need to find some time, then, to think about that which we want. By the way, make sure that you are eating well, as today’s processed foods disrupt the brain’s activities.
The calm man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to adapt himself to others (including our own children): and they in turn, reverence his spiritual strength, and feel that they can learn of him and rely upon him (this is us, parents). The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. The strong, calm man is always loved and revered.
Success from the heart is what many do not talk about, so here I will teach you a technique that I use on myself. Tonight, before you close your eyes to rest on your pillow, breathe through your heart and not your diaphragm as I have suggested before. It is ok to breathe through your diaphragm, but in this particular exercise is ok to do it with the heart. I guarantee you that you will feel better. And, you will feel a different sensation as you connect with yourself.
Research shows that the heart has a little brain connected with our head brain and both maintain a constant two-way dialogue and relationship involving many processes in the brain. They maintain their influence upon one another more than we know. The information they send to one another includes heart signals that can influence a person’s perception, emotional experience and higher cognitive function. This information will hopefully open people’s eyes and hearts to the union and homeostasis (internal balance) that we are part of without excluding the inner power that is in us. The heart brain and the head brain both respond to the thoughts we have and the things that surround us.
A life full of experience has taught me that making these heart-brain connections will contribute to weight loss, strength and decrease fatigue. So, practice and take action!. Enough with the planning and thinking! Let’s first build a foundation by taking time to connect our heart and head brain, to focus on the good around us, and to bring about our deepest dreams by finding time to do “nothing”.
My intentions are that you, become an expert yourself!
***I have shared some of my favorite passages with you in this article. A book that I would encourage to make part of your collection.
Migdoel Miranda
C.HE.K. III
Holistic and Lifestyle Coach II
Performance Enhance Specialist- National Academy of Sports Medicine
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
These boots are made for walking...
These boots are made for walking and so that's just what Transitional PreK and PreK did when they went exploring the back field for a good portion of the morning. Our little explorers enjoyed seeing all the signs of Fall and collecting acorns, a giant pecan and other "treasures"! Seeing these classes work together is sure to put a smile on any face.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Menu, Week 9/20-9/24/10
Monday
AM: organic raisin bran with organic milk
Lunch: cheese tortellini with garlic, olive oil, and organic broccoli
PM: organic peanut butter and organic strawberry jam sandwich
Tuesday
AM: banana, granola bar
Lunch: grass fed beef meatloaf with organic quinoa and organic veggies
PM: cucumbers and organic carrots with homemade ranch dip, pita chips
Wednesday
AM: bagels with organic cream cheese
Lunch: tuna salad with bagel chips, homemade apple crisp (apples, organic oatmeal)
PM: snack mix: sunflower seeds, Goldfish crackers, organic raisins, pretzels
Thursday
AM: homemade corn muffins, orange slices
Lunch: homemade vegetarian chili over organic rice with Colby Jack cheese
PM: organic yogurt with organic granola
Friday
AM: organic apple slices, cinnamon toast
Lunch: organic macaroni and cheese, organic veggies
PM: nut thin crackers, cheddar cheese cubes
AM: organic raisin bran with organic milk
Lunch: cheese tortellini with garlic, olive oil, and organic broccoli
PM: organic peanut butter and organic strawberry jam sandwich
Tuesday
AM: banana, granola bar
Lunch: grass fed beef meatloaf with organic quinoa and organic veggies
PM: cucumbers and organic carrots with homemade ranch dip, pita chips
Wednesday
AM: bagels with organic cream cheese
Lunch: tuna salad with bagel chips, homemade apple crisp (apples, organic oatmeal)
PM: snack mix: sunflower seeds, Goldfish crackers, organic raisins, pretzels
Thursday
AM: homemade corn muffins, orange slices
Lunch: homemade vegetarian chili over organic rice with Colby Jack cheese
PM: organic yogurt with organic granola
Friday
AM: organic apple slices, cinnamon toast
Lunch: organic macaroni and cheese, organic veggies
PM: nut thin crackers, cheddar cheese cubes
Friday, September 10, 2010
Menu, 9/13-9/17/10
Monday
AM: fruit and nut granola bar
Lunch: broccoli-cheese quiche (organic broccoli, organic eggs), organic wholegrain crackers
PM: strawberry cream cheese sandwiches (organic jam and cream cheese)
Tuesday
AM: bananas, organic animal crackers
Lunch: black beans, corn bread with butter, organic applesauce
PM: Pirate's Booty snack, organic raisins
Wednesday
AM: peanut butter and banana smoothies (PB, bananas, vanilla, milk), pretzels
Lunch: homemade vegetable soup (organic veggies, lentils, organic pasta) and homemade bread (organic flour) with butter
PM: Goldfish crackers, almonds
Thursday
AM: organic apple slices, berry fruit/nut clusters
Lunch: cheese enchilada casserole, tossed salad with avocado, lemon, and oil
PM: dehydrated veggie chips, cheese cubes
Friday
AM: dry organic cereal, organic raisins
Lunch: pasta with peas and Parmesan cheese (organic pasta, organic peas)
PM: organic tortilla chips, string cheese
AM: fruit and nut granola bar
Lunch: broccoli-cheese quiche (organic broccoli, organic eggs), organic wholegrain crackers
PM: strawberry cream cheese sandwiches (organic jam and cream cheese)
Tuesday
AM: bananas, organic animal crackers
Lunch: black beans, corn bread with butter, organic applesauce
PM: Pirate's Booty snack, organic raisins
Wednesday
AM: peanut butter and banana smoothies (PB, bananas, vanilla, milk), pretzels
Lunch: homemade vegetable soup (organic veggies, lentils, organic pasta) and homemade bread (organic flour) with butter
PM: Goldfish crackers, almonds
Thursday
AM: organic apple slices, berry fruit/nut clusters
Lunch: cheese enchilada casserole, tossed salad with avocado, lemon, and oil
PM: dehydrated veggie chips, cheese cubes
Friday
AM: dry organic cereal, organic raisins
Lunch: pasta with peas and Parmesan cheese (organic pasta, organic peas)
PM: organic tortilla chips, string cheese
Monday, September 6, 2010
Weekly Menu, 9/7-9/10
Tuesday
AM: sunrise energy bar, bananas
Lunch: bean and cheese nachos (organic tortillas), organic mixed vegetables
PM: pita chips, homemade guacamole
Wednesday
AM: Zbars
Lunch: homemade organic bread, homemade nut butter, organic strawberry jam, organic applesauce
PM: mozzarella cheese sticks, pretzels
Thursday
AM: banana-strawberry smoothie (organic strawberries), organic animal crackers
Lunch: pasta with lentil sauce (organic pasta, organic pasta sauce), organic green beans
PM: organic crackers with organic cream cheese
Friday
AM: yogurt pretzels, organic raisins
Lunch: tuna salad, bagel chips, organic baby carrots
PM: snack mix: Goldfish crackers, sunflower seeds, organic cereal, peanuts
AM: sunrise energy bar, bananas
Lunch: bean and cheese nachos (organic tortillas), organic mixed vegetables
PM: pita chips, homemade guacamole
Wednesday
AM: Zbars
Lunch: homemade organic bread, homemade nut butter, organic strawberry jam, organic applesauce
PM: mozzarella cheese sticks, pretzels
Thursday
AM: banana-strawberry smoothie (organic strawberries), organic animal crackers
Lunch: pasta with lentil sauce (organic pasta, organic pasta sauce), organic green beans
PM: organic crackers with organic cream cheese
Friday
AM: yogurt pretzels, organic raisins
Lunch: tuna salad, bagel chips, organic baby carrots
PM: snack mix: Goldfish crackers, sunflower seeds, organic cereal, peanuts
Birthday Bash
We are so excited to begin a new tradition at our school! Starting this month, we will honor each child's birthday by conducting a birthday ceremony with parents in attendance at either morning or afternoon snack. The ceremony will include a beautiful verse, a special time to light a candle for each of the child's years, and a time for parents to share a milestone for each year.
We all struggle as parents, and now as a school, to find a way to deeply honor each year of a child's life. Things have become very big--big parties, big cakes, lots of noise and hooplah. Some children (and parents) find it very overwhelming. So, several times each month, in a quiet way, we will find time as a school to honor the life of very special child...
Sarah made an amazing birthday kit for us to use, including a handmade cape and hat!
With a birthday coming very soon, Miss Tabi was our first celebrant! (Happy Birthday Tabi, thank you for all that you do, and for gracing us with your kind spirit!)
We all struggle as parents, and now as a school, to find a way to deeply honor each year of a child's life. Things have become very big--big parties, big cakes, lots of noise and hooplah. Some children (and parents) find it very overwhelming. So, several times each month, in a quiet way, we will find time as a school to honor the life of very special child...
Sarah made an amazing birthday kit for us to use, including a handmade cape and hat!
With a birthday coming very soon, Miss Tabi was our first celebrant! (Happy Birthday Tabi, thank you for all that you do, and for gracing us with your kind spirit!)
Sunday, September 5, 2010
I Confess...I Love Her Work
I love Martha Stewart's work...the woman, I don't know. You will now see a link to her on our blog, because it will help me keep up with Martha. Maybe you'll click on her sometimes, too.
~Leslie
~Leslie
Friday, September 3, 2010
No School on Labor Day
No school this Monday, September 6--it's Labor Day!
Have a great time with your family!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Surrounded by Life
Every day, I am surrounded by life. Emerging skills and the will to learn and survive. Children learning to crawl and pull-up. Children learning to put on their shoes and recite their ABCs. Children proud to fill their water bottles and set the lunch table. Little people, lots of them, all under the age of 5.
Sometimes I wonder what they will look like in 10 or 15 years when I see them in the grocery store or in the newspaper? I can already tell which of them will be taller than me or smarter than me. It would never occur to me that any of the children I know would lead anything less than a long, healthy, happy life...
I consider myself very "real" when it comes to children. I delight in them. I find them funny, but I don't kid myself that being around children is always pleasant or easy. It is incredibly hopeful to work with children. I'm always that lady smiling at the sticky toddler in the grocery store, helping a child up a playscape at the park, and admiring new babies everywhere.
Recently, as I tickled the tummy of an acquaintance's son at a function at my girls' school, he took a spoonful of granular medicine in a matter-of-fact bite just before he began chomping on a ZBar. He had amazingly chubby fingers, front teeth a mile apart, and strawberry blond hair. At the same time that I admired his energetic presence, I wondered why he had taken that medicine? I didn't want to intrude, but his mom volunteered that he had a disease that affected his digestion, and that would likely take his life before he turns 40. She shared the sequence of events that would transpire and ultimately shorten his life. She was so full of love as she spoke about him.
Should I comfort her or say "I'm sorry"? Every response seemed wrong as I listened intently and watched my own healthy children munching cookies and lemonade. She is obviously full of courage. She doesn't need me to feel sorry for her. Could I ever be as accepting and talk frankly about it if one of my own children had the same fate?
I listened, and my heart broke. I wanted to cry, but I didn't want to shame myself or her.
And then it occurred to me that the best way to honor the boy and his mother was to just be the "me" I would have been with him before I knew... I tickled him and I was silly with him as he played chase in the school gym with my kids and his siblings. I got over my shock and respected his life force by not withholding my affection and my "I'm gonna get you"s.
I think about this little guy often, and about his mother a lot. My kids consuming a pesticide-laden grape now and then doesn't seem like the end of the world anymore. I wish for my little friend to be surrounded by life, for however long his life may be. And when I see him again, I'm going to make him laugh...
~Leslie
Sometimes I wonder what they will look like in 10 or 15 years when I see them in the grocery store or in the newspaper? I can already tell which of them will be taller than me or smarter than me. It would never occur to me that any of the children I know would lead anything less than a long, healthy, happy life...
I consider myself very "real" when it comes to children. I delight in them. I find them funny, but I don't kid myself that being around children is always pleasant or easy. It is incredibly hopeful to work with children. I'm always that lady smiling at the sticky toddler in the grocery store, helping a child up a playscape at the park, and admiring new babies everywhere.
Recently, as I tickled the tummy of an acquaintance's son at a function at my girls' school, he took a spoonful of granular medicine in a matter-of-fact bite just before he began chomping on a ZBar. He had amazingly chubby fingers, front teeth a mile apart, and strawberry blond hair. At the same time that I admired his energetic presence, I wondered why he had taken that medicine? I didn't want to intrude, but his mom volunteered that he had a disease that affected his digestion, and that would likely take his life before he turns 40. She shared the sequence of events that would transpire and ultimately shorten his life. She was so full of love as she spoke about him.
Should I comfort her or say "I'm sorry"? Every response seemed wrong as I listened intently and watched my own healthy children munching cookies and lemonade. She is obviously full of courage. She doesn't need me to feel sorry for her. Could I ever be as accepting and talk frankly about it if one of my own children had the same fate?
I listened, and my heart broke. I wanted to cry, but I didn't want to shame myself or her.
And then it occurred to me that the best way to honor the boy and his mother was to just be the "me" I would have been with him before I knew... I tickled him and I was silly with him as he played chase in the school gym with my kids and his siblings. I got over my shock and respected his life force by not withholding my affection and my "I'm gonna get you"s.
I think about this little guy often, and about his mother a lot. My kids consuming a pesticide-laden grape now and then doesn't seem like the end of the world anymore. I wish for my little friend to be surrounded by life, for however long his life may be. And when I see him again, I'm going to make him laugh...
~Leslie
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