So Fresh and So Aluminum-free

There has been a lot of half-information floating around for years about possible links to aluminum in antiperspirants aiding in the development of Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer. For some reason no thorough research has been done to prove or disprove this theory. However, I did find this hint of admission on the National Cancer Institute website:

"Some research suggests that aluminum-based compounds, which are applied frequently and left on the skin near the breast, may be absorbed by the skin and cause estrogen-like (hormonal) effects. Because estrogen has the ability to promote the growth of breast cancer cells, some scientists have suggested that the aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants may contribute to the development of breast cancer."

Either way, I take comfort in the ability to pronounce the majority of the ingredients in products I use on a daily basis. There are a lot of natural deodorant options out there, and since aluminum (the ingredient that actually restricts you from sweating) is absent in these products it can be a risky (stinky) process finding a good, working natural deodorant. To make your social life easier, I have tested a few of the top brands and asked some other dirty hippie friends for their input. Here are our top picks:

The Bathhouse Soapery in Hot Springs, Ark., makes this vegetable-based deodorant. The vegetable protein breaks down odor-causing bacteria into a simple salt keeping you smelling fresh. One application lasts approximately 10 hours for normal daily activity, so you may need to reapply. My favorite scent is Bathhouse Couture with fruits, florals and a hint of sweet creme brulee. $10 available at the store or online. — Amy's Pick

Lavanilla deodorants are gentle, smooth and come in a variety of great scents (our favorite is Vanilla Grapefruit). This product is a good choice if you have sensitive skin that is easily irritated by normal antiperspirants. While it is the most expensive of the ones we tried ($18 per stick) we agreed it was worth the splurge. Available at Sephora. — Kelsie's Pick

Most try to deny it, but men really love products too. This natural deodorant by leading organic health/beauty producer Burt's Bees got great reviews from our male product tester. $7 at Whole Foods. — Graham's Pick

Formulated with Certified Organic Tea Tree Oil, well known for its anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties, as well as Azulene, for its skin soothing properties. $4 at your local drug store. — Ashlee's Pick

Earth Science uses lichen plant extract in this gentle, effective and long-lasting formula to control odor all day long without aluminum or other harsh chemicals. Will not irritate sensitive skin. $4 at your local drugstore. — Ashlee's Pick

Strange Brew

In honor of the arrival of the most drinkable holiday of the year, I thought I'd get everyone in the spirit by posting about my first experience brewing my own beer. The process was actually pretty simple — everything you need comes in the kit (we used True Brew). The directions were easy to follow and left you feeling somewhere between master chef and mad scientist. We let the 5-gallon brew ferment for about two weeks, bottled it, and let it sit for another month after that. The result was delicious — we chose the Nut Brown Ale flavor, which came out tasting much like Newcastle and made close to 50 bottles. We got the kit at Fermentables, a very knowledgeable brew shop in North Little Rock. We are finishing up our Nut Brown Ale and about to start brewing the American Wheat, which will be much more suitable for springtime porch drinking! Here are some pics from our home brew experience, we recommend you give it a try. Bottoms up!

The kit came with everything we needed to brew

Graham took on the tedious task of reading the directions

You need a REALLY big stock pot

Mad Scientist

Transfer to the fermenting bucket

It's ready to bottle when the bubbles stop

 Be careful not to let the sediment siphon through

Beer flows into the bottling bucket

Purchase bottles, caps and bottle capper. Sanitize bottles before bottling and save them to reuse after drinking

 The bottle-filler had an automatic on-off valve to make sure the exact amount of beer is dispensed into each bottle

Beer-rich

Satisfied customer

DIY Bird Feeder

Something tells me we aren't quite home free yet for nice weather in Arkansas...it was probably going to sleep with the windows open in my home last night and waking up this morning to the stark, 38-degree reality that IT'S STILL WINTER.

I created this homemade bird feeder for AY's "How To" feature a couple of years ago and thought I would post it here as a fun "almost-springtime" project to do with kids, or just for yourself if you really like birds. It's cold out, they are hungry.

Materials:

1 block of floral foam

package of wire wood picks

a bouquet of evergreen branches

1 package of cranberries

popped popcorn

1 orange

1 bag of birdseed

pine cones

peanut butter

needle and thread

  

• Take a walk around your neighborhood and collect cedar, fir, magnolia, holly, pine, spruce or juniper to name a few. Cut branches down to 2 to 6 inches.  
• Attach branches to wire wood picks by wrapping end of branch to top of wood pick, letting the two overlap for added strength. Wrap wire around branch and insert wood pick into floral foam.
• Go around the outside edges of the foam; first with longer branches, and work your way to the top of foam with shorter, thicker branches alternating plant types for variation until foam is mostly hidden.
• Double-thread your needle and begin stringing cranberries on about three feet of thread. Repeat using popped popcorn or alternate for variation. Drape cranberry and popcorn strings around branches. Slice orange into a few round slices and coat edges in peanut butter.
• Cover pine cones in peanut butter and roll in a birdseed mix. Roll peanut butter-covered edges of orange slices in birdseed.
• Place oranges and pine cones in the arrangement using wood picks if necessary.
• Place arrangement on a patio table, porch banister or in a hanging basket to attract beautiful winter birds to your yard. Spray evergreens with water to help them last longer and replenish your birdseed and fruits when necessary. Happy birding!

-From AY Magazine, January 2008

Love Gifts

If you are a last minute shopper (and shame on you for that) here are a few fun ideas for Valentine's gifts that you can find locally around Arkansas. Happy Valentine's Day!

 The perfect promise ring. Box Turtle $42 shopboxturtle.com

50 percent of proceeds from this love-themed tunic go to Women and Children First. Only a few are left so hurry to Ember Shop to pick one up. $36

Declare your love loud and clear with these statement throw pillows from Now and Then Shoppe in Fort Smith.

   

     

 

These pocket mirrors at Creative Kitchen in Fort Smith are a great tiny token of affection.

  

Former Arkansan, Hayes Carll's new album (officially released tomorrow) is a great gift for the music lover in your life. $10 on iTunes.

 

 Make the first move when you give this lovely print from Roll and Tumble Press. $20

 

 Don't forget everyone's first love... Mom. Pick up this screen-printed onesie by Brittany McDonald at Gallery 26. $18

 These are two of my favorite hand-printed, Valentine's-inspired cards from Betty Pearl. Find more at shops around Little Rock including Box Turtle, Freckled Frog, Gallery 26 and Haus Werk.

Steel, Pack and Party.

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank FOOTBALL again for providing so many occasions for us to shamelessly over-indulge, and also to congratulate it on creating an event where tickets are being resold for $3,000 apiece and air time is going for $6 million per minute. With Sugar Bowl pains behind us, and no real connections to either Packers or Steelers, I am confident that the Arkansas masses should be able to lightheartedly and wholeheartedly enjoy Super Bowl XLV. Here are some Super Bowl-worthy recipes I am dying to try — or try again.

Cooking wings has always seemed pretty intimidating, but this website gives great directions and even includes step-by-step instructions with PICTURES for those who can't function without visual explanations (like me). And you just can't have a Super Bowl party without wings, people might turn on you.

 

These are great because 1. spring rolls are always amazing, 2. dipping sauces are always amazing, and 3. because people can eat them with their fingers and you don't have to dirty up a bunch of dishes.  

 

These delicious hamburger cupcakes were introduced to me by my friend Autumn Hall with Avant Tarte. They are easy to make and always create quite a commotion. All you do is: Make yellow cupcakes from a mix, let them cool, cut them in half. Make brownies from a mix, let them cool, cut them into circles with a cookie cutter. Layer green, yellow and red icing and build a burger. It's really cute if you finish it off with a colored sandwich toothpick.

If you are tired of cooking by this point — and I don't blame you — then just open up a bag of Gardetto's because snack mix really just doesn't get any better. If you insist on getting fancy they come in different flavors like Italian Cheese Blend and a Deli-Style Mustard. 

Anheuser-Busch is the official beer sponsor for Super Bowl XLV, and it just so happens that my favorite beer — Stella Artois — is somehow in the Anheuser-Busch family. Stock the fridge, wear something festive and enjoy!

Ask Not ...

...What your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country. — John F. Kennedy

On the 50th anniversary of Pres. Kennedy's inauguration, we are keeping the volunteer spirit alive with a few suggestions for ways you can help out some community organizations.

 

In a perfect world all puppies would spend their days at photo shoots in flower fields. The Humane Society of Pulaski County is doing all they can to give their more than 200 dogs and cats food, clothing, shelter and medical care. If you have spare time they are always looking for animal lovers to spend some time walking the dogs and playing with them at the shelter's dog park. The easiest thing you can do to help is purchase a Humane Society Kroger gift card for $5. Load it with money and buy groceries, 5 percent automatically goes to the shelter. warmhearts.org for more information.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas works to "provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change their lives for the better, forever." Make an impact on a child that needs a positive adult role model by becoming a mentor. bbbsca.org for more information.

Habitat For Humanity works build modest homes for low-income families in Arkansas. Donate household items to the ReStore, volunteer time to help build or money for supplies. habitatpulaski.org for more information. Here is what your dollar can buy towards building a home:

$10 = Box of Nails
$35 = Shingles
$50 = Low Flow Toilet
$75 = Window
$100 = Kitchen Sink
$150 = Front Door
$500 = Siding
$1000 = Wallboard
$2000 = Flooring

For the Birds...

... all 5,000 of them. Whether it was due to fireworks, an alien spacecraft, a surplus of pellet guns sold or plain old wrath of God, thanks to the 'Aflockalypse' birds are so 'in' right now. Here are some of my favorite bird-themed finds.

Flock of bright, wool felt bird ornaments by Roost, at Box Turtle  

 

Love Nest Hand-Printed Letterpress Poster by Roll and Tumble Press on Etsy

Beebe = Death to Birds T-shirt by Rock City Outfitters/rockcityoutfitters.com

 

Bird Mother's Necklace by Figs and Ginger at Box Turtle

Or, if you are crafty, grab some feathers, a barrette and a hot glue gun and DIY