I feel good about myself when I make healthy, responsible choices ... but it's hard to feel proud when you stink. That's why summer is a tough time to get behind all-natural deodorants.

We all know that traditional antiperspirants contain potentially harmful chemicals: Sweat-stopping aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer's Disease, and preservatives called parabens are associated with breast cancer (although no causal relationship has been determined in either case). We have lymph nodes under our arms and worry that these ingredients could be absorbed there, compromising our health for the sake of dry, fresh-smelling armpits.

Is it worth it?

When the temperature nudges 90 degrees and I'm doing anything more strenuous that leafing through a gossip mag, the unmistakable Scent of Minimal Exertion exudes from my underarms. I use Tom's of Maine deodorants because they're natural, they smell good and they're sold at Trader Joe's. But as a friend of mine jokes, "Tom's works great if you live in Antarctica. And are in a coma."

I'm sure there are folks who can get by with a quick swipe of Tom's roll-on or even the popular Crystal mineral stone. But I've had days when both those products let me down.

Are those my only options? Risking my health or embracing my b.o.? I'm not giving up yet. Everyone's body chemistry is different, so I've heard you have to try a few natural products before you find one that works for you. Here are some oft-touted products I intend to try:

• A friend of mine swears by the Kiss My Face Liquid Rock made of mineral salts and willow bark extract. It comes in lavender, patchouli, Summer Scent and Unscented.

• Burt's Bees Herbal Deodorant is a spray that claims to neutralize odor with sage, lemon and lavender essential oils.

• Miessence Roll-On Deodorants come in unscented, Ancient Spice and the popular Tahitian Breeze.

• Aubrey Organics makes a beloved roll-on called E Plus High C that people rave about.

• Lush sells a popular solid deodorant bar called Aromacreme made of odor-neutralizing powders, almond oil and shea butter.

• I've heard that a sprinkling of baking soda makes a great deodorant — and it's cheap! You can make a scented version by mixing equal parts baking soda and cornstarch, plus a few drops of essential oil. A warning, though: May not work well with your black sleeveless dress.

Disclaimer: I was born in Indiana. That means I have experienced all four seasons, including the beauty and majesty each one has to offer. Having lived in San Francisco for the past 2 years, many of my friends and family assume that I love being snow-free during the winters. Wrong! At first, the idea of having no snow to shovel or trudge through was refreshing, especially after living in Connecticut for 7 years, where winter happily makes itself known. Slowly but surely, the idea of experiencing the end of the year without snow just felt … alien. Had I grown but in, say, Puerto Rico or Texas, maybe Christmas in short-sleeve shirts would seem completely natural. Instead, I'm a homespun farm girl who love everything nature has to offer. Lately, many say due to global warming (and I agree with them), the weather has gone completely wacko. There has been more rain than snow in Massachusetts and Connecticut; Orlando, Florida was 80 degrees the other day; but the ultimate proof that things have truly gone nutty is that is snowed almost 4 inches in Las Vegas a few weeks back! Snow … in Vegas … something just isn't right about that … that feels alien. Maybe we should all be thankful that the weather patterns are shifting. Soon, central states all across the United States will be able to put away their tire chains and relax in lawn chairs during Thanksgiving, while folks in Vegas, Texas, and Georgia get covered in many feet of snow. It sounds extreme, but that is the way the weather is headed - 2008 is proof of that. Storms will get more violent, summers will be hotter, winters will be colder, and unexpected events will become commonplace.

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Navigating the world of green toothpaste is a little like trying to find a good handbag at a discount store - lots dodging of formidable land mines (aka ladies) who are determined to find that $50 Kate Spade, even if it means blowing up a few people along the way. So why bother? Well, because it's not considered a food, conventional toothpaste contains lots of potentially harmful stuff, including artificial colors, flavors and sweeters that are known to cause cancer in lab animals, like saccharine. Not to mention fluoride, which many natural health advocates insist is bad news. Since 1997, the FDA has required that all fluoride toothpastes carry warning labels. Don't believe me? Check out your tube. Mine reads "If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away."

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