A lot of you are probably aware of the harmful toxic chemicals in commercial deodorants and antiperspirants, and the dangers they pose to your health. If you have searched for an effective non-toxic alternative without success, we have an easy and inexpensive solution for you!

The greenest and most effective way we've found to address body odor is a homemade deodorant powder made of equal parts aluminum-free baking soda and organic cornstarch (you can experiment with the ratio of baking soda to cornstarch, although we are giving you the one that has worked best for us). Baking soda is an excellent odor eliminator and cornstarch is smooth and soothing to the skin, helping to keep it dryer by absorbing the perspiration. Over the years, we have tried just about every natural deodorant product on the market and not one of them even comes close to working as well as this simple, homemade powder, which is equally effective for men and women. It is equally effective on underarms and feet.

In addition to being extremely effective, safe and non-toxic, this homemade deodorant powder is much more cost effective than packaged alternatives. And it also has an additional green advantage: it eliminates the need to purchase a product in plastic packaging every few weeks, which decreases post consumer waste (every little bit helps!).

Directions: Thoroughly mix equal parts baking soda and cornstarch in a bowl, then transfer to an airtight container of your choice. Apply it straight from your hand on dry or damp-from-the-shower underarms (we find it works better when underarms are damp, but some prefer dry), or with a powder puff or washcloth. Experiment to determine the amount that works for you.

For a container, we like to re-use spice jars that have snap-on/off tops with holes for sprinkling, or plastic cottage cheese or sour cream cartons if using the powder puff or washcloth application method.

NOTE: This powder will transfer to your clothing (it will not harm the cloth) so it is best to apply it at least 30 minutes before dressing in your street clothes. If you don't have time to wait, use a dry washcloth to brush off any excess powder. Then, especially if wearing a darker colored garment, put the garment on carefully so that no part of the right side of it will brush over the underarm area (this can be a little tricky with a pullover, but it is doable). If any of the powder does transfer to your garment, a quick, gentle swipe of the area(s) with a damp washcloth should solve the problem.

There is one item you might have in your refrigerator that has so many benefits and uses--both internal and external--that one blog post couldn't possibly cover them all! Apple cider vinegar is almost a panacea* and following are a few of our favorite uses for it. We are giving you the ratio of vinegar to water that we use for each one, but you can experiment to see what works for you.

*Everything in this post applies only to organic, unfiltered, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar.

► Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water and use an organic cotton ball to pat it on a rashes, hives, or insect bites to stop the itching and balance the pH in the skin.

► Add 1 or 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to an 8-ounce glass of water and sip slowly to calm an upset stomach. If you are prone to indigestion, take it before, with, or after meals as a preventive.

► Add one teaspoon of vinegar to a six ounce glass of water for a sore throat. Drink it all at once and let it run down your throat to bathe it. It will kill the harmful bacteria.

► Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 1 pint of water for a wonderful facial astringent. Splash on with your hands or use an organic cotton ball.

► Add one or two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a quart of water and use after shampooing as a hair rinse. Massage some into scalp and let the rest wash through your hair. Leave it in your hair for about a minute, then rinse out. Your hair will be soft, silky, tangle-free and manageable. It's better than any rinse you can buy in a bottle!

► For a delicious and healthful beverage: in the jar of a blender, mix 4 cups of water with 4 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 4 teaspoons of raw, organic, unfiltered honey (another amazing food!). If you like it sweeter, add extra honey. Blend until very foamy on top (it will look a little bit like beer), chill and enjoy. Our mother always made this for us when we were kids. It was our favorite and we're still drinking it today!

You can clean and polish your wood furniture, and keep it looking beautiful without harmful, toxic chemicals. Here is our favorite homemade formula:

Mix equal parts olive oil, white vinegar and lemon juice (use organic whenever possible). Beat with a wire whisk or a fork to emulsify. Place a small amount of polish on a soft, clean cloth (never directly on furniture) and rub well into wood using a circular motion. Buff with a fresh cloth. Repeat every couple of weeks or so, or whenever you see that the 'glow' has faded.

If your wood piece has unsightly scratches, do the following before polishing:

Break an organic walnut to expose the walnut meat. Rub the broken end over the scratch, crosswise, being careful to stay within 1/4" to 1/2" on either side. Buff well with a soft, clean cloth. This will camouflage the scratch, in many cases making it seem to completely disappear (in the case of a much deeper scratch, it may still be somewhat visible, but the appearance will be greatly improved). You will be amazed at the results!

Repeat this process whenever the scratches become visible again.