{the pits}

Eureka. 

It works - so this is worth reading! 

I know it is long, please bear with me! 

I have tested it through an hour and a half of hot yoga, picking apples through a hot orchard in a sweater, hours of hot wedding dancing, and I am so happy to say I have found the answer {for me}!

Over the past six weeks, I’ve been experimenting on myself. {because I've never shared something with you guys that I haven't tried on myself!} I found a recipe for homemade coconut deo. As we all know, I’ve tried the all-natural way before. I then confessed that I fell off the bandwagon. I was really tempted to just leave it at that. Because of my first journey down this road before, I KNOW how bad store bought deo can be for you. But I have to confess that I am offended when I am around someone who does not use any kind of deodorant. 

Stomach churning offended. Gross.

I’ve been following a crunchy blogger alex raye and her thoughts on almostexactlyblog.wordpress.com and either 1) she rights in a way that is inspiring, and I wish I could do that! or 2) I realized that I was being ridiculous since all the ingredients I needed were in my cabinets!

Sorry, what? A project that I don’t have to spend ANYTHING on? Done-I am so in!

On a Sunday I whipped up the following!

1. 5 tablespoons organic coconut oil. {the creamy base, also has antibiotic properties. I originally used refined, but have chosen to go to unrefined from now on since it is entirely non processed}

2. 1/4 cup cornstarch {for sweating}
3. 1/4 cup baking soda {for smell}
4. 5 drops of tea tree oil for the natural antibiotic properties

Sensitive to baking soda, or need a different alternative? Check her index here: http://almostexactlyblog.wordpress.com/index/.

What else can you use these ingredients for? Because why buy things you don’t need:

Coconut oil has been a good replacement for any oil, even in this recipe for meatballs.

Cornstarch is a great thickener, and I attempted to make orange chicken with it once but you can use it to thicken soups.

Baking soda is an incredibly multifunctional powder, that can do anything from freshening your carpet to cleaning your jewelry.

Tea tree oil, it’s antibiotic and you can dilute and use as needed!

OKAY, so how did this go?

Day 1 – Good, no smell! I was nervously smelling myself all day. Super attractive.

Day 2 – Okay…a little smell…but I used to always have to wash my underarms after using Tom’s Natural of Maine, so that was nothing new. But I was a bit disappointed. But then I remembered, there is a transition period when we ditch chemicals and go all natural. As a friend put it, it’s like your body saying..what, I have to do work now?

Day 3 and on – occasional smell, but nothing more than a musky scent that wasn’t noticeable unless you stuck your nose too close. I realize the smell only happens when I get really nervous, such as a presentation at work or really excited/anxious. And still, it’s nothing that I can’t prepare myself ahead of time and keep a small jar in my desk or simply wash my pits. 

Why even bother with all of this?

We know that aluminum base compounds are not good for our bodies, and that putting them so close to our lymph nodes aren’t the best idea. Lymph nodes are filters, but don’t deal with toxicity like your liver. We also know that it is OKAY for your body to sweat! It is your body’s smart way of getting rid of toxins! You need to sweat people, even if it isn’t always pretty. It’s  your body’s way of dealing with what we do every day. I am over being vain about something that my body was created to do, and is doing with a purpose!

I have noticed...

• My feet sweat less, how weird is that? Not really, sometimes sweat is going to happen no matter where it comes from, it's your body's way of regulating temperature too. How much depends on your number of sweat glands.
• Softer arm pits-that coco deo really knows how to treat your skin.
• No oil residue on my clothes that I have noticed.
• It is all natural, I KNOW what is in it and I can make it and modify it myself.
• What I eat affects how I smell. If I eat a ton of garlic {yum}, then I am more likely to have a scent. Not always, but more likely. Another incentive to eat all natural, organic, avoid pesticides, and use food as fuel and medicine rather than just what tastes good.
• CUSTOMIZE – I think lavender or some other scents would be wonderful! You can make this your own scent!

I have another friend who just embarked on using coconut oil only, and it’s working for her! I am a bit envious, since I do feel like I need this concoction. At least under my most dominate arm (I’m right handed), since if there is any smell then it’s under my right arm. Kind of interesting, I wonder if ambidextrous people have an even smell? HA!

Test it out on your next lazy day at home, the worst thing that can happen is that you have a smell and you can just wash your pits. Don't forget there is a transition period! Come share your experience!