Lavendeer started out as a simple effort to rid my life of another unnecessary chemical or two. That C-word (cancer, yes?) comes up way too much these days for my taste. We've all been touched by it. In the past few years, I have followed the lives of old friends who have been diagnosed, and I have made new friends who tell me their remarkable recovery story as well. Their strength inspires me, as does their resolve to make healthy choices in life going forward. Choices like throwing out go-to cosmetics and body products that are known to contain potentially harmful chemicals. Hmm… If so many cancer survivors are making drastic lifestyle changes in the name of health, wouldn't it be wise to make similar changes in my own life, diagnosis or no diagnosis?

And so began a label-reading, Internet researching habit. After dismal results from trying several commercially available natural deodorants, I spoke with some friends who told me they had made their own deodorant. They claimed it really worked for them. So I tried a few recipes and came up with a concoction that really worked for me as well. At the risk of my own pride, and possibly a little TMI, I'll admit that I was pretty skeptical. See, I hate to be sweaty. HATE. IT. Unless I'm working out super-fiercely and am totally prepared for it. And I have quite the keen sense of smell (often nicknamed "the nose" by my beloved). Before my chemical awakening of sorts, in preparation for special occasions, I have tried several brands' versions of the clinical strength stuff and have found myself sorely disappointed. If THAT stuff didn't work, imagine how much worse were my results when trying to go natural! Eep.

Once I began using my own homemade recipe, my friends and family (including my significant other -- he uses Butter Yum!) began requesting their own custom-made products. Dry Shampoo and Lip Balm soon followed suit. The beau and I, in a concerted effort to live a happy and healthy life together, decided to move from the bustling Silverlake area of Los Angeles to the quiet, farm-like atmosphere of Tujunga, with the Angeles National Forest as our backyard. Named by a local Native American tribe, Tujunga means Mother Earth, and Tujunga's clean mountain air was believed by the Tongva tribe to relieve asthma and tuberculosis. As I gaze at the mountain behind our house and spoon natural products into glass jars, I feel pretty affirmed that we're on the right track. And with a penchant for the aromatically pleasing, and plenty of clean air to keep my sniffer primed for product inspection, it seems the nose does in fact know! So far, I hear nothing but praise for the products from friends and family, and I invite you to try some and let me know what you think, too. I hope you experience the effectiveness and the lovely scents of Lavendeer.