When Life Gives You Lemons.....or Limes

One day I was watching Dr. Oz. It was one of those days when I didn't change the channel and the TV was watching me. Dr. Oz had people talk about different solutions that you wouldn't think of. Well, someone was demonstrated how she uses lemons as a deodorant. Well, that definitely caught my attention. I have been wanting to use a natural deodorant. I tried one years ago and it didn't work and I started smelling musty. So I didn't try again until earlier this year. I bought a different brand. Didn't like it either. I did try it again when I ran out of deodorant but I just did not feel fresh and clean at all.

So why did I want to switch from your average deodorants that you get in the stores? For one, toxins in many deodorants have been linked to breast cancer. That and I have gotten to where I don't trust materials used in many products we buy and eat. Now I won't act like I am all natural with everything, because I haven't. But I am taking baby steps into the more natural as a part of my simple living.

Now onto to the lemon lady on Dr. Oz. She grabbed a whole lemon, sliced it in half and rubbed the cut lemon in her arm pits. It was that simple. So what did I do next? Researched. This whole lemon thing was all over the web and on many sites as natural alternatives for deodorant. The lemon juice is acidic and can kill order-causing bacteria. I never ever ever ever thought about that. So what next? Try it. I am the type that once I learn about something and research it, I am ready to try it. But I only had extra limes in the house at the time. I searched to see if a lime would have the same effect. The answer was yes.

My concern was if my underarms would be sticky and would I smell like a lemon. Well, I didn't see anything about smelling like a walking lemon, but I did come across a post that said it was not sticky. I still had to find out for myself. And I also did more research on other home recipes for deodorant. Several times I cam across a recipe that consisted of baking soda, arrowroot or cornstarch, and coconut oil. It was a sign because I was considering putting on coconut oil first to moisturize then rub the lemon on. But why not add the baking soda as well......since I had it. Baking soda also combats odor.

The next morning I did a mix of baking soda and coconut oil until it became like a paste. I squeezed the juice of one lime into a small bottle then added the juice to the paste. I can't even tell you how much of each item I used but I would guess about  a tablespoon of baking soda and maybe a tablespoon of coconut oil. Then I used maybe a teaspoon of lime juice. The acidity of the juice and baking soda caused the mixture to fizz. Call me weird, but I got excited....lol. This mixture made a small amount, but that is all I needed just to see if I liked it.

After I showered, it was time to use my concoction. Instead of using my deodorant mix under both arms, I rubbed some under one arm and rubbed just lime juice under the other. Well, good news....once the juice dried, it was NOT sticky....wooooohooooo!!!! Then the test. I did laundry and took my nephew outside to ride his bike. We also just sat outside and it was an 80 degree day. I did some sweating, but I'm not sure if I had an odor. When I did my own sniff test, I did not smell funky. But that may have been psychological because I wanted to believe it worked...lol.

For real though, I believe it worked. I tried to get people in my family to do a sniff test, but no one would cooperate. Well, my nephew did but he is only 4 and he said I stink....correction he said I stank then ran off laughing. But basically, when I was funky before when using regular deodorant when it wore off, I could smell the funk. With my mixture and the juice, I did not smell stinky under either pits. As far as which I like more, I think I like the mixture more than just the juice. Not that the lime juice didn't do it's job. But maybe the baking soda gave me some extra protection.

So now added to my simple living is my homemade deodorant. And I love it!!!

When everyone around you operates in drama

So you are having a good day.....beautiful weather, no traffic, and just an overall good feeling. You come in contact with someone who is in attack mode. Do you give in to their dramatic attitude, or do you choose not to deal with it? What I had to understand is that people are who they are and going to be who they are. I know this is easier said than done, but sometimes we can't take people's attitudes personal. Even if it is personal, that doesn't mean we have to react just as badly to their craziness. Yep, very much easier said than done. It takes time to be able to master this. I know I haven't, but I am getting better at it.

I began practicing meditation about 6 years ago. I wasn't always consistent with it, but I did see the benefits. One of the benefits is being able to establish peace. Now here is where it gets a bit less simple....ok complicated. We may be on a peaceful journey, but not every in your life is on the same path. There may be someone who seems to always have drama going on . Or maybe it is someone who is a complainer - so unhappy with life. Then you have people who just seem to irk your nerves because they are used to getting into arguments with you.

The truth is, you don't have to deal with what you don't want to deal with. But how do you not deal with it. One of my favorite words is "okay." I annoy the hell out of people who are looking for a debate or argument or some sort of resistance and I simply say "okay." We each have choices and as the saying goes, "choose your own battles." Every battle is definitely not worth your peace and sanity.

That whole taking a break before you speak works wonders.....sometimes. Again, it takes time to be able to not let people get to you. But we need to stop giving people our peace so easily. Whether a stranger or a person in your life, we let people get us so outraged. Crazy thing is sometimes our rage lasts longer than theirs. We stay in a  zone of just being super pissed. If this is a regular thing, of course that causes health issues. Is it worth it? I say hell no!!!!

I am learning to not walk into every argument. And because I am emotionally sensitive, I limit the amount of other people's issues/drama that I listen to. I spent a lot of time giving others so much of my energy that it drained me. I had to take back my power and work on who I want to be. I am getting there....my simple life.

Intro - Plain and Simple

On a journey to eliminate as much complexity out of my life as I can, I am always looking for alternative ways of living that just makes more sense to me. I do not believe in spending unnecessary money – anymore, and I believe that there has to be a simpler way of doing a lot of things. I no longer believe in just going along with something just because everyone else is doing it. I used to, but my perspective on life has changed since I had my daughter and it continues to change as I am enlightened on different things. And I am big on doing my own research also.

This is my version of a disclaimer. Everything I talk about here is not meant to be law, but just suggestions on making things simple. Some of the simpler things may seem to be too much for some people, some may not. Often my quest for something simple involves finding something cheaper. But then some things may involve a bit more money upfront and there are other reasons behind this simple switch.

Now some of what I will talk about will involve stepping out of your comfort zone. Some may involve hands on work. I am a creative person and love learning how to make new things. But that is who I am. Either you can choose to try it yourself or ignore the hell out of me. It’s ok. I am not doing this to force anyone to be like me. I promise I will not take it personal. I love individualism. These are just things that I am tackling on my journey. I may end up being called a Black Hippie because of this.

Here is another disclaimer, much of what I am sharing is related to women. Some may be TMI for men. But it won’t hurt to read what I am talking about and share with the women in your life.

My life’s goal is to rely less on society’s standards as much as I can. I am not in denial that I won’t be able to fully switch my entire life to simple living, but I will try my hardest to do so. The subjects I talk about may seem all over the place, but the whole purpose is to transform mind, body, and spirit to have simplicity internally and externally. Topics will range from feminine hygiene, skincare and even having peace within. Knowing me, I may throw in something extra random.

Here we go!