Hot Air Popped Popcorn

Welcome to another edition of the Chronicles of a Budding Health Nut. Nut meaning crazy person. Well, the other day I was in Target and happened to walk by this popcorn popper. It uses hot air rather than oil which makes for a much healthier version of a treat my daughter happens to love.

My mom would always buy the microwaveable bag popcorn and I would try my best to convince her to stop because of the chemicals used in the lining of the bag which are toxic. Not to mention the chemicals in the artificial butter flavor which can cause lung issues over long periods of time (you'd have to pop a lot of popcorn) but I believe most companies have stopped using the particular chemical diacetyl which causes this. But still the chemicals in the bag some of which are to keep the oil from burning through the paper...still aren't ideal to be ingesting.

The best way to pop popcorn is over the stove...or as I have newly found- with a hot air popper!  Naima had a ball watching it pop. Much safer than standing in front of the microwave like I used to do as a kid, and inhaling toxic fumes as well as being exposed to radiation emissions. ;-) So long to bagged popcorn!

Here are a few photos for you to enjoy of out process.

I'm not sure what is special about the Ruby Red. But it was pretty so I brought it. Marketing scam!

measure.

pour.

wait for popping to start. pose for the camera.

get excited when popping starts.

pose for the camera again. still waiting.

add melted butter and garlic.

season. blk pepper. fresh grated.

season. old bay ;-) it's a b-more luv thang.

Enjoy!

Homemade Deodorant

Yes, you read that right. I found a recipe for homemade deodorant and I just had to give it a try. So I just whipped up a batch and will begin the real journey tomorrow...which is testing it out to see how well it actually works! ;-)


So how did I do it you ask? Or better yet why?


Well I will start with the why first.


I did it because I am on a journey of reinventing my life to be as chemical free as I possibly can. I also want to learn how to do/make everything myself so that I can leave the store brought-chemically laden artificial scented/flavored things of life alone. I want to return to nature. To the way things were and should be before corporations took over and told us how we should live our lives. Don't wanna get on my soapbox...this a post about deodorant after-all. So here is the why in terms of why I decided to pursue such a journey:


Deodorants, and most all cosmetics from things such as lotions, shampoos, make-up etc. are full of chemicals which are harmful to the body. They are present in such small amounts-but over time they build up and many have been linked to cancer. Most people don't think of their cosmetics as cancer-causing. You may think of  the fact that you know X many people who have been using these things for X years and don't have cancer...but from an epidemiological standpoint-cancer rates are ever increasing as are the amount of chemicals being introduced to us through various means (the air we breathe, water we drink, food we eat and cosmetics that we use). 


(There is no need for me to sit here and re-type information which is greatly summed up elsewhere. For more information you can view these links:  Harmful chemicals in deodorants, Natural Cosmetic News, BBC News, Deodorant and breast cancer.)


Anyway, so onto the good stuff... how can you make your own deodorants? Well there are plenty recipes out there to try. I came across this one that I decided to try first. I read some reviews that some people have issues with the baking soda in the recipe causing irritation. There are various versions out there without it. I am going to try this one and if I should need to switch to another version I will. 


So here is the info: 

Ingredients:

6-8 Tbsp Coconut oil (solid state)
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot powder

(optional-essential oils) I used lavender. Just a few drops.

Directions:

1. Combine equal portions of baking soda & arrowroot powder. 
2. Slowly add coconut oil and work it in with a spoon or hand blender until it maintains a firm but pliable texture. It should be about the same texture as commercial deodorant, solid but able to be applied easily. If it is too wet, add further arrowroot powder/cornstarch to thicken.
3. You can either scoop this recipe into your old deodorant dispensers or place in a small container with lid and apply with fingers with each use. Makes about 1 cup. This recipe lasts about 3 months for two people with regular daily use.

Give it a try and let me know how you like it: