Deodorant Diary

In my attempt to switch to a chemical free life, I started with the personal hygiene items that I "need" to use on a daily basis. These items include soap/body wash, toothpaste, deodorant and then not so daily shampoo and conditioner. While there are many recipes for each of these, I started with what I had on hand or could easily obtain.

I have already been using oils to clean my skin, that was easy. Toothpaste was also an easy transition. Deodorant is the last item on my "need" list. Hair care has proven to be a little more challenging, so that will require more reading before my next attempt.

Day 1-
Dear Diary,
I really want to read more about natural deodorant ingredients, but I also really just want to get started. Maybe I'll just put a little dab of this coconut oil I have under my arms while I read more.

Day 2-
Dear Diary,
I got so busy yesterday I didn't get to finish reading about deodorant. I cut the grass and did a few other sweaty chores, but I don't remember any body odor or much sweat. I'll have to try that again...and read more on natural deodorant.

Day 3-
Dear Diary,
Ugh! Our ac froze yesterday! Thankfully it's been overcast and only 87* Although I think it's 90*+ in the house. Still no b.o.! I have to read more about deodorant today. One of my friends said she uses a coconut oil recipe, gotta look this up!!

Day 4-
Dear Diary,
Put on my coconut oil and started looking up various recipes and benefits of coconut oil. Sweat is good! I already knew that, but the smell isn't. Coconut oil can be used alone because it has antibacterial properties, but isn't known to destroy odors, that's where the various recipes come in. Other ingredients such as baking soda, arrowroot and specific essential oils help to eliminate odor and absorb sweat. 
So now, to find those perfect combinations of oil, powder and essential oils to work just right and smell really good!

Plastic Bottle, Funnel, Planter

2 Liter Bottle?
So, I went to make laundry soap today and I couldn't find a funnel...again. If you have kids, you know funnels and kids go together, especially at bath time. Hats, tee-pees, megaphones, it's probably in their toy box. That's a job for another day.




So, what can I use for a funnel? It has to be small enough to fit in the top of a gallon "milk" jug, but big enough to comfortably pour into from a pot. A 2 liter bottle! If I cut it in half I have the perfect size funnel for the job.

Cutting a 2 liter bottle in half not only gives me the perfect funnel, but also a cute little planter.



Now, to finish my laundry soap.


What have you used for a funnel in a pinch?

Vinegar

Vinegar-
I've been cleaning my floors with vinegar for years. A little vinegar in a bucket of hot water is amazing.
I've heard vinegar can be used for many other things, including glass cleaner. So the last time I ran out of glass cleaner, I decided to just use vinegar and water...and wallah! It works.
So what else does vinegar do?

Vinegar mixed with a few other ingredients can do all this and more!
Mop floors
Deodorize carpets
Clean glass
Remove mold, mildew, rust and soap scum on all kinds of items.
Fabric softener
Insect repellent, including termites!

Azalea Fresh Market Growing Pains

**We are not currently at any markets. Azalea Fresh Market does have another produce vendor and several other vendors, even through the summer.**

The Azalea Fresh Market started at the Science Center location January 5th, 2013. Since that time, we have had many vendors come and go. The Science Center location has great potential as it highly visible sitting right on 22nd Ave. N., in a heavily populated area, between Tyrone Mall.and Park St.
Some vendors want an immediate pay off and can't wait for the market to grow, that's okay, God has a plan for this market. The vendors and customers are still coming.
The vendors that have been in regular attendance are seeing returning customers and customers that have heard about them from a friend. That's good news, the word is getting out that Azalea Fresh Market is the place to go! Unfortunately we also have customers that come looking for a vendor that left.
It will be exciting to look back in a year, when the market is full of vendors and customers, to see how far we've come.

March Events at the Azalea Fresh Market