When I met my friend Betsy on a school field trip with our kids, I knew I’d met someone intriguing that I wanted to befriend, and she completely dismissed me, thinking I was just being nice. What intrigued me about her was her view on eating and using only organic products. The minute she heard I was a pharmacist, she assumed I was only interested in the synthetic world of drugs and wrote me off immediately.
After a few months of persistent pestering about her way of living, she apparently decided I wasn’t going away. Fifteen years later we are still the best of friends. And we’ve been there to see each other through bunches of stuff.
Well, a few weeks ago I went for my annual mammogram and got the dreaded phone call a few days later. (They tell you when you get the test done they will send you a note in the mail if there is nothing wrong, or you will get a phone call if there is.) The minute the nurse identified herself my heart fell to the pit of my stomach.
“Mrs. Vaughan? Your mammogram showed some abnormal tissue on both sides and we need for you to come in for another mammogram and an ultrasound. There is really nothing to worry about. We just want to be sure.”
Nothing to worry about! Thanks. No I won’t think about it at all until I have the test next week.
I pretty much jumped in both feet forward preparing for the worst….while still hoping for the best. I remembered I’d heard that the aluminum in antiperspirant/deodorant combinations has been linked to breast cancer. (Have you ever read the ingredients in your typical brand antiperspirant/deodorant? Tons of chemicals and virtually impossible to pronounce.) I learned this a few years ago and tried to make the switch to a deodorant.
I think I tried every one in Whole Foods and Earth Fare, but they all left me feeling, “sticky.” Betsy was a few years ahead of me in this revelation, and she had given me a sample of her home made deodorant. I’ll admit I didn’t use it right away, and when I did, I didn’t give it a proper chance. (I’d use my standby killer antiperspirant over it.) Now, with one abnormal mammogram under my belt, I decided to give it another shot. So I called her for the recipe and voila! It was awesome.
I made you a recipe card for your convenience below…just click on the recipe below, save to your computer and print. 
Might be fun to whip up for your girlfriends and put in cute little jars with the recipe attached on the outside…just make sure they are your close girlfriends so they don’t think you’re dropping a hint that they stink!
Click here to download recipe pdf
It really couldn’t be easier to make, and the best part is…it actually works!
The good news is my second mammogram and ultrasound turned out fine. The better news is I’m now using an aluminum free, natural deodorant that will decrease my chance of ever having an abnormal mammogram again.
Here’s to a healthier, less sticky, and less stinky new year!
P.S. I forgot to add one little warning…if used immediately after shaving, it will burn. I usually shave at night and then apply it in the morning. By then it’s fine.
P.P.S. It also works great to use during the summer for foot odor…just rub it on your feet in the morning before you put your socks on
OH MY GOSH, Celeste – I use coconut oil as a moisturizer (LOVE IT) and recently read it could be used as a deodorant. Dopey blonde me thought you could just rub it on, but I at least had the good sense not to do that until I could do a little research on it.
AND HERE IT IS! And a friend’s testimonial to boot! Thank you!!!!!!!!
You will love it. I really can’t believe it works like it does. I literally tried all the deoderants that Whole Food carries that are natural, but none of them keep you feeling dry. They all leave you sticky. I LOVE this one….but one warning I need to add to the post is that if you use it immediately after shaving, it will burn. I usually shave at night and then use it in the morning. Then it’s fine.
Celeste, I love this recipe. I will be trying it. I have been wanting to buy some coconut oil anyway for other things. Good to see you blogging so much and hope to see you at Blue Ridge again!
I’m glad you like it Kimberly 🙂 I really have tried them all, and nothing compares to this one. It’s so easy and cheap to make too! I hope to be at Blue Ridge again this year. I can’t imagine not going, but it’s not a definite yet either.
Great recipe Celeste, can’t wait to try it!
I’m currently using Lavilin (www.lavilin.com), and while I can’t see myself ever moving away from it, I’m always happy to try something new 🙂
It is a great recipe Kristen, though I will say I’ve tweaked it a bit for me. I tend to have sensitive skin, and I think it was a little too strong. So I actually doubled the amount of coconut oil as compared to the other ingredients and now it’s perfect. You might just play around with it. Most people love it as is, so you can make it that way, then if it’s too strong you can always go back and stick it in the microwave for just a few seconds to soften it, add more coconut oil, stir, and let let harden at room temp. That’s what I ended up doing and it worked perfectly for me. 🙂 Hope you like it!