How to Get Your Kids to Eat Vegetables and About the Time I Almost Met the Barefoot Contessa

We are not big t.v. watchers in our family and the only shows the kids have seen me watch are the occasional episode of Nineteen Kids and Counting, Beth Moore teaching (they think she screams and don't like me to watch her:), or the Barefoot Contessa cooking show on Food Network.  Their favorite of the three is the Barefoot Contessa show because they love to discover new dishes to try and convince me to make for them. 

At one time, my DVR was filled with episodes of the show and I have probably seen almost all the episodes once.  I usually just fast forward to see what she is cooking and then watch the show if I am interested in making the item.  Her recipes always work for me and usually taste amazing.  She made me feel successful in the kitchen, which was a new thing for me.  I am grateful that I can google her name and whatever I want to make (ie. Ina Garten roast chicken) and end up with a foolproof recipe made with simple ingredients that my family will love.  Her simple recipe for roasted veggies made veggie lovers out of my kids.  I will always love her for that.  (See the bottom of this lengthy post directions on how to roast almost any veggie.)

Many years ago, Dylan started asking questions about her.  Where did she live?  Could we go to her house and cook with her?  Why was she so overweight?  He was really worried about her health at one point and was asking all kinds of questions about why someone would eat too much, etc.  It sparked a great conversation or two.  Then, a few years ago, I read that she had been to a Williams-Sonoma near our house to sign her new cookbook.  I told the kids and they were very disappointed they hadn't gotten to meet her.  I was surprised and told them that if she came to town again, we would be there.

A few months ago, I found out she had a new book tour planned in our area and I told the kids we were  going to see the Barefoot Contessa in November!  Dylan had since moved on and said, "Ummm...I'm o.k."  Not interested.  Alyssa was thrilled!  She brought it up so much and was so excited that she would run into my room, first thing in the morning, letting me know how many more days until she met the Barefoot Contessa.  I started thinking that maybe she didn't understand what a book signing was like, as she was so excited, so I checked in with her about what she was expecting.  Her desire, she said, was to tell Ms. Garten she liked her recipes, that Beef  Bourguignonne was her favorite, and she also wanted her picture taken with her.  She then told me she wanted to put this picture in the hallway and I suggested her room would be an even better place for the picture.  I thought these expectations were reasonable and I was ready to make her little dream come true.

The day of the event was an insane one for our family, schedule wise, so Tim left the house at 10:30 to stand in line (HUSBAND OF THE YEAR!!!!) and I was to meet him in line at 1:00 after facilitating the Thanksgiving feast games for Dylan's class (I am co-room mom for Dylan's class and the Thanksgiving feast was my party to run--I had originally planned to keep Alyssa out of school the day of and get in line early, etc. but that plan had to change)  The event started at noon and I had paid for and reserved my cookbook a month ahead of time--this is like your ticket to the event and they only offer a set amount of books.  Tim phoned me and told me to go to the Will Call line and pick up my book when I got there (you can't pick them up early) and then meet him in line.  Tim and Dylan would then leave to a Cub Scout camp out and my little girl and I would stand in line as long as we needed to so she could have her picture and say her piece. 

This is where things started to go downhill fast.  To make this very long story a bit shorter I will summarize: Will Call line lasted for hours, Tim's line ended and only the Will Call line was left and not moving, they ran out of books, Barefoot Contessa got tired and walked out.

I will carry with me forever a picture of my sweet girl, eyes filled with excitement and expectation, still wearing her turkey t-shirt with her hand print on it from her school feast, holding my hand and waiting patiently, oblivious to the chaos and commotion around her.  She didn't realize she wasn't going to get to see Ina.  Women all around me were getting very angry, demanding things from the employees...it was an ugly scene.  Alyssa asked me to take off her turkey shirt and fix her hair in anticipation of her picture.  I complied and then just stood there in line, holding her hand, waiting until I could break the news to her without tears of my own.  I was so disappointed for her.  All the daily countdowns, excited squeals, careful planning and running around to make it happen, her waiting in line much longer than she ever had...I was just sad.

An older lady who had been standing near us in line and had been so impressed with Alyssa pulled the store manager over to us and pleaded, "This little girl has stood in line for 2 1/2 hours with a smile on her face, never complaining, wanting to meet Ina.  Can you take her to the back for a quick picture with her?"  The manager looked at Alyssa compassionately and told us she'd be back.  At this point I knelt down and told Alyssa that it looked like the Barefoot Contessa had to leave.  I reminded her she lives far away and probably had a plane to catch.  Alyssa quickly turned into me and self consciously cried a bit.  I told her I was disappointed too and that we would try again another time.  The store manager returned and saw Alyssa hugging me, shook her head no and then said, "I'm going to go back and try again!"

The manager returned shortly and spoke directly to Alyssa.  She told her that Ina had already left and that she was very sorry she wouldn't get to meet her.  She, along with another woman standing with her, offered Alyssa some stickers signed by Ina Garten (which puzzled Alyssa because she didn't understand the significance of an autograph but she took them with a shy smile).  Then the store manager introduced the lady with her as the Regional Manager for Williams-Sonoma and asked Alyssa if she wanted her picture taken with her because she kind of looks like Ina and had stood with Ina all day.  I encouraged Alyssa to do this, but again she was puzzled because titles mean nothing to her.  However, she walked over to her, smiled, and posed for the picture by holding up the free cookbook they had given her.  After I had taken the picture and thanked the Regional Manager for being in it, I then looked to the store manager to thank her for her kindness.  There were still angry people around us demanding all kinds of things and these two ladies, the ones with the "power" that should be putting out fires quickly, were going out of their way to make my little one feel special.  She was looking at Alyssa, with tears in her eyes, and then looked to me and smiled sadly.  I told them I was so thankful for their kindness, grabbed Alyssa's hand and we walked out the store and into the peace of the mall. 

As she looked up at me, I braced myself for devastation.  My girl feels things very strongly.  In a happy voice she asked if her cousin was still spending the night.  I assured her that she was and she happily asked if we could get a piece of chocolate from Godiva.  As we had stood in line that day, we were smelling the wonderful smells coming from Godiva and watching them make their creations through the window.  We walked in and bought a $7 chocolate strawberry and she was on top of the world.  She was acting as happy as she would have if she had met Ina and now was making her plans for what she would do with her cousin. The last thing we did, before we left the mall, was take a picture in front of the Christmas decorations.  She smiled, filled with excitement about her sleepover, and asked me to send the picture to the Barefoot Contessa--so she'd know Alyssa had come to see her.

That whole experience has made me think a lot.  There were many lessons and blessings from that day and for that I am grateful.  Seeing my husband give so much of his time, surrounded by women talking to him about cooking, was such a wonderful picture of him loving his girl.  Watching the entitlement and ugliness that comes out when "grown ups" don't get their way was a good reminder of what can happen to any of us when we focus first on ourselves.  Observing my girl move from excitement, to disappointment, to excitement again so quickly blessed me deeply.  I love that she chooses to hope again immediately and that she has a joy and peace in her heart from Christ that cannot be taken away.  Seeing people take the time to listen and to be kind to a seven year old experiencing disappointment was a blessing to me.  Kindness is powerful and free and all of us can choose to lavish it on others each day.  I want to consciously choose it!

The biggest gift I was given, however, was the reminder that Jesus always DOES live up to His hype.  He never grows weary, is too tired, or is too busy for us.  He always loves us and gives us His best.  If our expectation and hope is in Him, we are never disappointed.  Remembering this,  I am better ready to move into Thanksgiving with an expectant, grateful heart and into the Christmas season with adoration for my King!  Praise Him!

****For preparing vegetables in such a way that kids will eat them watch this.  I have used this technique with great results with root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, etc.), broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and all kinds of squash.  The result is sweet and tasty!  I don't use olive oil at high heats, however, due to it not being stable at high temperatures.  Instead I roast with coconut oil or palm oil.

I use veggies, Real Salt, oil, and pepper and toss on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper (to avoid metal exposure) or a glass baking dish (Anchor Hocking are completely lead free!).  I toss the veggies every 10 minutes to make sure they bake evenly and have had good results at 400 degrees.  With reluctant veggie eaters  I would start with sweet potatoes or butternut squash as they become very sweet.

Here is a cool chart to explain which oils are best to use and at what temperatures.

What I am Loving!

I take my iPad from room to room while I clean.  I listen to sermons, Pandora, or Ted Talks.  Or if I have to do a mindless project, I'll set it near me and listen to a webinar and learn something new.  I love the iPad for the way it can be a constant source of inspiration and encouragement as I go about my daily tasks.

This is the latest gift I've found from Ann:

The Book Of Matthew recited by actors dressed up as Jesus and the people of His day.  Tim and I listened to the Sermon on the Mount and marveled at how something written over two thousand years ago can speak to me in my "right now", calm my heart, and change my life.

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  Hebrews 4:12

 

How do you receive inspiration and encouragement throughout the day?

Be the Blessing

May we be the blessing...

May we be the blessing today and not the curse.
May we encourage one another towards an abundant life.
May we seek peace and reconciliation in our own hearts and with the hearts of those around us.
May we live humbly.
May we give people, all people; our family, our friends, our neighbors, our communities and our leaders, the benefit of the doubt.
May we let LOVE lead us.
May we let generosity guide our actions.
May we stand for what Christ stood for or rather stand with those whom Christ stands with. ALL.
May we get down off our fences and high posts and come down into the level ground, into the open space where all truly live.
May we dwell in this fertile ground where our lives WILL eventually turn outward toward others.
May we allow our focus to turn from me to them to you and finally to us.
May we live united.
May we seek SHALOM.
May we be reminded of the image of God in all of our lives.
May we seek communion with all.
May we be the blessing not the curse.

 

my prayer. Melissa Greene– Nov 7th, 2012… the day after the election.

A Simple Way to Give This Christmas Season

Have you heard about Pure Charity?  Do you have the desire to give and make a difference but feel sad about your lack of extra funds available?  Me too!  So I got so excited when I heard about Pure Charity!

 

We are going into the holiday season--a time when most of us are buying more than usual.  Even though I am staying out of the stores as a rule, I am now planning the Christmas gifts I will buy, buying party supplies, and purchasing baking ingredients.  What if a percentage of what you purchased, all throughout the year, went to fund causes that you felt passionately about?  Do you shop at Walmart, Target, Lowe's, Groupon, or Priceline?   There are over a 1,000 participating retailers but those stuck out for me.  I just registered the credit card I use and every time I buy something at one of the participating retailers, a portion of my purchase price goes into my charity account--at no extra cost to me!  And then I can decide which projects I want to fund with my account.

 

Jen Hatmaker, author of the book 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, wrote about all the details beautifully here.  Click on this link and read all the directions if you are interested.  Follow me too and I'll follow you!  Maybe we'll fund an orphanage together or something cool like that!  Jen Hatmaker is just back from a missions trip to Haiti and she is funding the building of a school needed by the people she just served.  Technology can be wonderful, can't it?! 

The Blessing of Losing a Job, Part 2

An Example of Excess in My Home--But She Sure is Cute!

I wrote last time about how my husband's job loss ended up being a blessing to our family.  We were refined in the process and surer of God.  Our family was stronger and tighter.  All great things...

But God has used a few books, recently, to further change me and "wreck" my comfortable life.  It's all good but I think it makes me even "weirder" and less mainstream than I was before.  So that is interesting:)  I guess I am just getting more comfortable not being a "normal" American.

Here are the books--one of them could even be considered "dangerous" to read.  They all required action on my part after I read them...so read at your own risk!

    One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

This book changed my perspective on life. I love the way she describes everything around us as God expressing His love for us--if we would only pay attention!  Children's kisses, sunsets, mountains, steaming soup, a husband's laugh--all blessings from God to be counted and enjoyed.  This book I read awhile ago and the lessons apply to every season and help in every situation.  We are unbelievably blessed by God, every day!  I want to live like it!

Here is a link to Ann discussing her journey that will bless.


                                                   

7; An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker

This one really wrecked me.  It showed me, in a new and painful way, the excess in my life and how that kept me from seeing and responding to the needs of others.  I had put off reading it because it sounded heavy when other people talked about it, but it was actually a very FUNNY read.  The author makes it as enjoyable as possible to acknowledge the areas of one's own life that are out of balance. 

I feel like this book freed me to be content with, and grateful for, what I have--and that is a beautiful, life altering thing!  It also stoked the fire to give in a new way and to re prioritize my life.  I am excited by what this book did to my heart.  It made me a better person.  It revealed some ugly attitudes and habits in my life.  I really want excess out of my house and heart. God really used this book to change my life!  I so desire to make sure this change sticks, though, and is not just a phase.  I am asking God for a permanent heart change.

Here is a recent interview with the author and what changes have stuck in her house since she wrote the book.  She is so real and funny--and is always entertaining!

My college suite mate, Robin Ann, is blogging right now as she goes through seven, 40 day fasts focused on the areas of excess discussed in this book.  I think you will be inspired as you read what God is teaching her as she looks to Him to shape her life.

             
Nehemiah; A Heart that can Break by Kelly Minter

This is a Bible study on the book of Nehemiah that I am currently doing.  What I took away from the study right away is that though I care about the poor, I don't know the poor.  I don't have friends that are poor.  I don't know the name of one poor person living in my county.  Did you know that if you make $50,000 a year you are in the top 1% of the world's population?  If you are reading this you are most certainly rich by the world's standards.  If you have a bed, an extra change of clothes, and some food in a cupboard or fridge you are abundantly blessed.

God is doing something in my heart that has me focused, in a new way, on children living in poverty.  I cry when I think about what I might do (my passion is so strong) but I realize that unless I live differently and sacrifice I won't ever be able to do what God is calling me to do.  I want my heart to stay soft and my eyes to look to Him to guide me as I seek to do His will and live out what He created me to do and be.

So now I add reluctant consumer to my growing list of what separates me from mainstream America.  If I am to give in the way that God is calling me to, I have to live my life and use my resources differently than I have in the past.  I still have a  lot to process to determine what this will look like in my life long term.

But I wanted to write a post about these books because I thought they might be of interest to some of you.  Maybe you've felt nudging toward a different way than the world's way.  If so, I highly recommend all three of these books!  I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read them and evaluate my life and attitudes from a different and better perspective.  Growing is good...

Has a book recently changed your perspective or caused you to grow in a new way?  I want to hear about it!  Please share with me!

The Blessing of Losing a Job

I have always been cheap.  My brothers and I were raised that way by my parents, and they by theirs.   In my very frugal family, doing without or finding a deal is celebrated and admired.  I don't enjoy something as much if I pay full price for it.  My ultimate vacation is a beautiful, upscale hotel getaway at 70% off--usually cheaper than a Motel 6 room.  I seriously enjoy myself more when a deal has been found.

So when people talked about materialism and excess in American culture, I never really felt the need to make any personal changes.  Because I'm frugal, cheap, and always looking for a bargain.  I never spend a lot of money on a pair of shoes or a dress.  I rarely pay retail.  My husband and I haven't traveled on our own dime anywhere special since our honeymoon.  We are simple people.

Well, that is what I told myself.  And I don't believe it anymore.  In fact, I am embarrassed at the excess I was living with without regard to its effects on my family, my faith, and my personal growth.  Here is what changed my perspective...

In early 2011, my husband had a great, well paying job and we had a brand new house that was more than enough for our little family of four.  We painted the walls (no VOC paint, of course), ripped out the carpet and put down hardwood (the former owners had cats and we don't like carpet due to toxins), and purchased a couch for our empty family room.  I actually felt "proud" of myself for not getting carried away with the decorating or remodeling.  Even so, I didn't like the tile in the downstairs area, the kitchen cabinets, or the "older model" stove and oven.  We had new appliances in our old home and I wanted new ones here too.  I began researching the costs of new appliances...

Then my husband lost his job, completely out of the blue, and all of a sudden I was wondering if we were going to be able to keep our home.  Now I wasn't thinking for a second about getting new appliances to replace working models.  I realized I didn't need anything.  I looked around my house and felt such gratitude and amazement about how blessed I was.  I knew God would provide for us, without a doubt, but didn't know what that would look like for our family.  People all around us in our neighborhood were losing their homes.  I began to think about the possibility of living with my parents...it wouldn't be so bad.  My kids would love it...  Such a perspective change one lost job caused in me.

Tim and I stopped spending any money unless it was absolutely necessary.  Only food, gas, mortgage and utilities.  No more weekend outings, no clothes, no Target runs, etc.  And we realized that there was a deep peace knowing God was fully in control and would provide for us--and we also had the satisfaction that we were being good stewards of what we did have.  I could tell you some amazing stories of God's provision during that time--we actually received as much money with Tim not working (from random sources) as we did when he was working.  God also did an unbelievable work in my husband's life that is still blessing our family and friends today!  My kids became much more grateful about everything and stopped having the attitude of entitlement they were developing before.  I look back on our time of unemployment as one of the biggest blessings of our time as a family because of all that it gave us in character and relational growth.   God works in our lives in ways we can't predict or understand.  We trust Him in a new way now.  All of that is wonderful!

I'm sharing this here because simplicity is one of the "greenest" philosophies around.  One saves energy, resources, money, and time when life is simpler.

So what is different now?  What changes have been lasting?  What did we learn from our time of unemployment?  Here is what stuck:

1.  I now stay out of the stores.  I actually feel weird when I go to the mall now.  Kind of overwhelmed by all the lights, choices, and extravagance.  If I don't go to the mall, Costco, or to Target, I'm not tempted to spend money or find new things I "need".  I've probably missed out on a ton of new merchandise that has been invented since my husband lost his job but I'm blissfully unaware.  I send my husband to Costco with my short list--he buys only what is on it and leaves--he is so much more disciplined than I am.  I buy most everything else we need on Amazon or iherb.com.  The prices are usually best and I am not tempted to look around and end up with $100 worth of extra things I wasn't planning on buying.

2.  We LOVE hand me downs for the kids.  I have a wonderful friend (THANK YOU, KRISTEN!) who sends her sons' hand me downs to us.  My wonderful SIL (THANK YOU, KATERI) gives us my niece's clothes.  My kids also attend a private school which does a used uniform sale at the end of the year.  The items are only $5 each!  So I don't really need to buy anything for the kids except shoes, socks, and underwear and that is a HUGE blessing.  Another "green" blessing is used clothes have out gassed and been washed enough that they contain fewer toxins!
Used clothes also save resources, land fill space, and all the chemicals used to create clothing.

3.  We only go out to eat after church.  We used to do activities on the weekends that often included a meal out at a sit down, family restaurant.  Three of those a month really raised the credit card bill each month.  Now we go out to a "cheaper" restaurant like In N Out or Chipotle after church and the kids know we won't go out any other time so they don't ask.  The occasional family get together out (my dad just treated the family to a special restaurant for my brother's birthday) is cause for lots of excitement and celebration.  We appreciate these meals out in a new way.

4.  I go to the grocery store once a week.  We have a Sunday routine that works really well for us.  We attend the early service at church, eat "lunch" out at 11:00, and then go grocery shopping on the way home.  It saves gas and time because we live far from stores and I save money because when I shop more than once a week I spend more money on impulse buys.  Tim also takes the kids to the park or otherwise occupies them while I shop because whenever I shop with kids (anywhere) I end up spending more money due to their suggestions and desires.

5.  We spend our weekend doing simple activities.  We enjoy hiking, biking, picnics, geocaching, and other free activities as a family.  We have a pool and entertain friends several times a week during the summer.  Staying home saves money!  The highlight for our kids this summer was a weekly sleepover with their cousins and our Friday "Happy Hour" tradition--I make a homemade GF pizza and a huge bowl of guacamole with chips, Tim makes fun drinks (Zevia for the kids), and we play games.  I've realized we are all recharged and happier when we spend time enjoying each other at home. 

6.  Clothes and shoe shopping on a "as needed" basis for adults.  I used to purchase clothes for summer, fall and winter when the new season arrived.  Now I organize my closet and shop there where there is plenty to choose from and it all fits!  I amazes me how long Tim and I can go without needing to buy anything.

7.  We look for new things we can make from scratch to save money.  I make my own, toxin free cleaners and deodorant.  We drink homemade kombucha and I am trying to find a good homemade almond milk recipe my kids will drink.  I am making fermented foods instead of buying probiotics (which are VERY important but VERY expensive for quality ones).  Instead of buying lunch box items, I make healthy muffins, cookies, and applesauce.  Tim is perfecting his garden in the backyard and is now working on sprouting seeds and investigating
composting.  My next project will be making GF bread as the Udi's at $5 a loaf is killing the frugal person that I am:)

8.  My social outings with friends no longer revolve around eating out and shopping.  I have so many dear friends who I share my life with now.  I used to get together with them for dinner or lunch and maybe a day of shopping.  Now we walk and talk!  We have a beautiful wildlife preserve behind my house that is an awesome walk/hike complete with deer sightings.  We also have safe walking paths in our surrounding communities.  I have loved my walking "therapy sessions" with friends.  We get caught up on life and share our hearts, get a great work out, and there are no distractions.  And it's free!

9.  Staycations.  We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary during our time of unemployment.  We had planned to celebrate by going to Hawaii and renewing our vows where we honeymooned.  Instead, we had the kids go to Grandma and Grandpa's (thanks Sheila and Steve:), bought some special treats and food at Trader Joe's, and stayed home together.  We cooked, laid out by the pool, and really enjoyed each other.  I felt so blessed to be with my favorite person on the planet, uninterrupted, for a few days.  It was wonderful and we saved a lot of money compared with our initial plan.


With the above changes I feel more grateful and thankful as I go about my life.  I am also calmer and happier.  I don't feel deprived or as if I am going without.  I would have never guessed a job loss would result in so many blessings for our family!

I'd love to hear what you are doing to save money, live simply, and cultivate a grateful heart at your house!  I am always looking for new ideas and would love to learn from and be inspired by your unique life!!! 


On a side note...I just noticed I didn't post at all in September.  We have had lots of big changes here and I was just keeping up with the necessities.  I hope to get to write more in October!  (Thanks Trudy and Mary for your recent encouragement!)  Next time I'm going to share about what is reorganizing the way I view my life and my future.  It is the second chapter of change in our lives after the job loss.

That's Impossible!!! A Toxin Free Deodorant that Actually Works!

My husband is a good sport.  I have made difficult situations, like remodeling after a flood, more challenging because I checked all materials for toxins and pressed for healthier options.  This slowed down the process considerably and he loves to cross items off his "to do" list quickly.  He has been, in his own words, a "late adopter" of many of my green ideas. He is now, however, my biggest supporter in our journey to make our house healthy and safe for our family.  But sometimes he still thinks I am a bit crazy...

The following example of one of my weird ideas is shared with his full permission:)

A long time ago a friend told me about the dangers of regular deodorant/antiperspirant.  I shrugged it off and thought it might be true but I wasn't willing to stink.  I felt this way for many years.

As we started to clean up our home for the kids, I became careful about what soaps and shampoos we used for them.  I started thinking about the deodorant thing and thought I'd better figure this out now so we'd be ready when the kids needed deodorant.  I probably bought ten different health food store "natural" deodorants.  I would go on iherb and read all the reviews, pick the most popular ones, and try them out myself.  Nothing worked!!!  The Crystal worked for a while and then stopped.  I gave up and went back to my trusty "Secret". 

My husband is the most consistent exerciser I have ever known.  He goes to the gym numerous times, every week, as long as I've known him.  He runs in the morning before work.  He also regularly goes on very challenging mountain bike rides lasting hours, with friends, for "fun".  He has always showered twice a day because he stinks after workouts.  He sweats A LOT which is great for detoxifying.  But he needed to buy those REALLY toxic, clinical deodorants to keep from stinking--and even those didn't work so well.  His exercise shirts were hard to launder so they'd smell fresh.  I tried adding vinegar and baking soda to the load.  I'd rewash his shirts a few times.  I was bummed because I couldn't get the sweat smell out of his shirts--ever.

So back to my deodorant quest...I found a make your own recipe that people said worked well.  It was coconut oil based so it was liquid most of the year (coconut oil melts as the weather gets warm) but I would apply it to my underarm with my finger and I was surprised to find it WORKED!  My husband delighted in trying to catch me "stinking" but the new deodorant always worked.  He wouldn't try it, however, because he didn't think it would work for him and all the hard core exercising he does.

One day we were on vacation and he realized he had forgotten his deodorant.  He was going to have to use my homemade deodorant and we were at a theme park all day in the heat.  He was worried!  I was excited!!!  I was hoping it would work and we could throw out the toxic, expensive deodorant he was using that wasn't even working well. 

You can probably guess it worked amazingly well for him!!  No odor after a two hour bike ride in the summer!!  No more stains on his white undershirts.  No more odors on any shirts.  No smell at all--ever!  This deodorant is so amazing that he wants us to sell it:)  Because it really doesn't make sense that there are all these companies making deodorant that doesn't work well, is full of chemicals, and costs lots of money.  And this one works perfectly and is super cheap and easy to make!

Since his conversion, I now am using an even better recipe that works just as well but has some beeswax in it so it stays solid in all temperatures.  I just mix it, cook it, and pour it in an old deodorant bottle---I have tons of them from my days of trying out all the natural ones.

This recipe is adapted from Keeper of the Home and found here.  I omitted the Castor oil in her recipe because I like the texture better without.  I don't use lavender or tea tree oil in mine because of this study showing a link between both and the growth of breasts in boys.  Further study showed the two essential oils mimic the actions of estrogen in the body.  I think it is best to leave them out if there may be a problem with the oils, especially when they are placed so close to the breast tissue.

Here is the recipe with a picture of the ingredients:

I added the following to a saucepan, stirred to combine, and "cooked" over low heat:

5 Tablespoons of coconut oil, 1/4 cup of arrowroot powder, 1/4 cup of aluminum free baking soda, 2 heaping Tablespoons of beeswax pellets--(shown below), and 16 drops of an essential oil to scent (if desired)  Check this list for essential oils to avoid due to their ability to exaggerate hormonal issues.

Heat until the beeswax pellets melt, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.  Pour into two empty, clean deodorant containers like the one pictured below.  I twisted it so the base was all the way at the bottom and ready to receive the liquid deodorant.  This starts to harden right away so you have to work quickly.

Cools completely within a few hours and is ready to use.  Makes 2 containers of deodorant.

Some additional tips...

1.  At the beginning, I needed to wipe this off at night with water so my body could take a break from the abrasiveness of the baking soda in the recipe.  I just put coconut oil on the area over night to soothe.

2.  Some people have a week or so "adjustment period" when starting this.  This is supposed to be your body adjusting to being without the chemicals in the deodorant you used before.  My husband and I did not and were "stink free" right away.

3. You don't need to use much at all.  I place the container to my underarm, twisted up to reveal just a bit of the deodorant, and let it soften a second from my body temperature.  Then I lightly cover the area, without tugging or rubbing as baking soda is abrasive.


Let me know if you try this and how it works for you!!  I hope it ends up being a great improvement over your present situation:)
Moneysaver:  I purchased the arrowroot powder inexpensively on Amazon, the beeswax and baking soda from iherb, and the coconut oil from Trader Joe's.  There is a bit of an investment upfront if you don't have the items already, but the deodorant ends up costing just a few cents to make each time.  If you live near me, I'll happily make you some if you give me an empty container.  Then you can try it first, without purchasing the ingredients.