For those in need of inspiration...

The Holstee manifesto.

homemade deodorant

It is a highly satisfying feeling when a quandary can be solved and there is no waste. Much like solving a jigsaw puzzle that is 70% blue in an underwater scene or finding out that last nights leftovers are exactly the amount needed to fashion a decent lunch today, having all the pieces fit satiates my desire for simplicity.

The deodorant that i make for myself checks off all of the necessary boxes.

homemade? check.
made with ingredients that need only be sourced from my cupboards? check.
easy to do, with a small time commitment? check and check.
ridiculously frugal? aha check.
and best of all, lacking in random chemicals and aluminum? check!

I've adapted my recipe from these two lovely ladies sites, with the main difference being that i have used more beeswax to create a more solid deodorant bar. this is also the time to state that yes, this actually keeps ones axillae fresh. That said, if it is an unusually active or stressful day it is advantageous to reapply once.

2 tbsp beeswax pellets ( approx. 20g, mine are from here )
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup baking soda ( aluminum free! )
1/4 cup arrow root powder
essential oils of your choice

1. melt the beeswax in a bain marie ( or a stainless bowl placed in a pot of boiling h2o )

2. add the coconut oil and stir until melty and mixed

3. mix the soda and powder in a bowl and add to the oils

4. stir until well combined with no lumps

5. take the bowl off of the heat and add essential oil if that's your thing (it is my thing, and i used tea tree,  patchouli, neroli and blood orange)

6. pour into your receptacle of choice ( i used mini cupcake liners and an egg carton as it is what i had on hand)

If you like your deodorant really firm, use another tablespoon of beeswax or just keep it in the fridge for a fresh wake up in the morning. I'm also quite a fan of the essential oil mixture as the tea tree kills bacteria, the orange freshens and the patchouli hints at the scent of armpit anyway - keeping things realistic.

Enjoy!

Cranio-Sacral Therapy: How does your dura feel?

In May, I attended a four-day CS1 (first level craniosacral therapy) workshop. It was exhausting to have my dura (three layers of connective tissue that house the brain and spinal cord) palpated and worked on for four days straight, but such a great experience to further my clinical practice!

CST works by mobilizing or gently moving the dura to relieve any restrictions and restore the correct movement. Restrictions can be due to an injury (mild or severe), overuse, under use or even a repetitive motion. There can be many other causes as well.

The therapy is accomplished using only about 5 grams of pressure. The point is to engage the tissue without enlisting the help of the surrounding muscles. We want to work deeper than the muscles and independently of them. John Upledger described the feeling to the therapist as "pulling a boat on a string with one finger". Very little pressure is needed, the trick is to wait for the tissue to respond, and to follow it as it does.

Tentorium Cerebelli - creates a "floor" for the brain (cerebrum) and separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum

Depending on the area worked and the techniques used, CST can feel very mild to quite profound. Directly after the treatment, patients are generally relaxed. Over the hours and days following treatment, patients may notice a lessening of their symptoms.

CranioSacral Therapy can remove restrictions that cause chronic pain, neurological disorders and many other dysfunctions. It is helpful in the treatment of

Three layers of Dura Mater

• Headaches (all types)
• Scoliosis
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue Syndrome
• Back and neck pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
• Temporo-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction and
• Stress management

If this is a therapy you would like to try please call (604) 568-9886 or book online here. I look forward to seeing you!

photos from Gray's Anatomy