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What I got for Christmas

I was apparently a very good girl this year, and my dear family presented me with some wonderful gifts. While I do think the "giving" aspect of the season is the most important and rewarding, I don't buy too many things for myself during the year so it's a real treat to receive thoughtful gifts just for me. It's very touching when I know someone has put some real thought into what I might enjoy. So I decided it would be fun to share some of the gifts I received! Check out this great eye pillow from Too Dizzy: http://tinyurl.com/9fnjxu Not only is it lovely, it's very functional! It has a nice soothing light scent from the lavender and flax seed filling. I used it last night when I went to bed. It relaxed my eyes and blocked out the annoying flashing glow of the TV that hubby insists he needs on to go to sleep. The lavender also helped me sleep and I dozed off quickly and peacefully. I also warmed it up a bit in the microwave earlier today to ease a headache I had going. As it melted away my headache, I found it very helpful indeed.

Happy Holidays from Soap Rehab!

Happy Holidays to all! May your season be merry and bright and filled with love and joy.

Free shipping and Pumpkin Brulee Sale

FREE SHIPPING Monday 12/15/08-Friday 12/19/08 at Soap Rehab!
There's still time to order for Christmas! And now all Pumpkin Brulee products are on sale! While supplies last, then they're gone until next fall. So, get your pumpkin pie bath products while you can...bathe in warm custard-y baked goodness and put a pumpkin smile on your face :) http://soaprehab.com

Notice: Starting Saturday 12/20, Soap Rehab will be closed for the week of Christmas. Shipping will resume 12/27/08.

New Product--Pure Rehab Unscented Oatmeal Soap Bar

This bar is Pure Rehab--it is simply a great lathering, soothing, unscented bar of soap to rehab your shower experience. Great for sensitive skin or for those with sensitivities to essential oils and fragrances. The oats are very finely ground for a slightly scrubby effect. This colloidal oatmeal also naturally calms and soothes your skin--moisturizing, softening, and protecting it. Made with mango butter, olive oil, and avocado oil for creamy, non-drying lather and coconut and palm oils for good lathering bubble action and a nice hard, long lasting bar. No fragrance or scents, just the light aroma of the oats.

Ingredient Spotlight-Meadowfoam Oil

Meadowfoam seed oil is an edible seed oil, extracted from the seeds of Limnanthes alba (meadowfoam). Meadowfoam is a 10- to 18-inch-tall flowering plant. I have read that some grass-seed farmers who are no longer allowed to burn their fields are now planting meadowfoam as an alternative crop. The oil is very emollient, and contains high levels of naturally occurring Vitamin E. It is said to moisturize the skin and hair better than most oils, and it helps prevent moisture loss. It provides good slip in creams, providing a nice feel when smoothing on lotions and butters and making it nice for massage as well. I love the light, moisturizing attributes it brings to my body butter formulation.

My "little" angel

My angel before his Holiday Band Concert

Favorite Holiday Songs

I saw an article recently with a list of the holiday songs the author was already tired of hearing. So, I thought I'd write instead about 5 of my favorite holiday songs!! We listen to a lot of Christmas songs this time of year. With the local radio station that plays them 24-7 and my husband's sincere love of music, we have plenty to get us in the mood of the season. Not feeling too cheery and bright and glistening with Holiday Spirit? Try these:

1. Sleigh Ride--cheery and fun!
2. White Christmas--mellow and thankful.
3. Silver Bells--Elvis Presley version. Classic Elvis. dreamy.
4. Christmastime is Here--easy on the ears, never gets old
5. Baby it's Cold Outside--with Dean Martin. sweet, fun, nice to sing along to

What's your favorite holiday song?

The BIG Give from Bird on a Wire

There's still time! Running until December 8th is Bird on a Wire's BIG Give. A different product each day to win! Come enter to win my Three Kings Bath Soak! Yes, Soap Rehab is Day 7, and there are lots of other cool things to come...so check it out at: http://lagniappemarketing.net/category/the-big-give/

Shake Your Bon Bons Candy Giveaway!

Shake your Bon Bons is giving away some amazing treats this month!! Unique bon bon flavors, mouthwatering fudge, creamy butter creams, chocolate pretzels, and so much more.

From their blog: Visit the Candy & Baked Goods page of my website, pick out your favorite candy, and leave a comment on this blog letting me know your choice. One lucky reader will get the candy of their choice delivered in time to share with family & friends for the holiday. Or you can be like me, hide it under your pillow and hoard it like a squirrel! Winner will be announced on Friday December 19th. Good luck and Happy Chocolatey Holidays!

It's easy to enter, and there are several ways to get more entries, so check it out: go to http://www.shakeyourbonbons.com click on "Some Sweet Musings" on the right hand side, and scroll down to Tis the Season to be Giving.

Winter Wonderland

Walking in a winter wonderland....here's a photo from our backyard. The wood duck seems to handle the snow pretty well!

After Thanksgiving Sale

BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND SALE! FRIDAY 11/28-MONDAY 12/1 ALL SOAPS, BODY BUTTERS, AND BATH SOAKS ARE BUY ONE GET ONE **FREE**! Please choose your free item from anything of equal or lesser value and indicate your choice in the "Message to Seller" section during checkout.

http://soaprehab.etsy.com

Lotion Making at SoapRehab

I know some people are wary of purchasing handmade lotions and body butters, so I wanted to do an overview of a couple of the processes I go through to make sure SoapRehab lotions and body butters are fresh, safe, and wonderful. First, I sterilize all the equipment to be used with boiling water or dishwasher when applicable. The water used to make the products is first filtered through a Reverse Osmosis filter which is a super micro filtration system often used in medical applications. Then it's heated to make absolutely sure it's ready. Everything is made in a dedicated workshop area outfitted with stainless steel countertops which are non-reactive and cannot harbor bacteria. Sterile vinyl gloves are always used during product preperation. These are just a few steps to give you an idea of the careful, thoughtful prep that is involved in making every SoapRehab product. Safety is my number one concern. And of course, I am also focused on making effective products people will enjoy. Thanks for reading!

Acorn Squash Turnovers

This is a recipe from Rachael Ray's TV show. After seeing these, I went straight out to get all the ingredients and made these for dinner. They were great! Very fall. Of course, my son doesn't like squash so I made his with leftover rotisserie chicken. He loved those, so everyone was happy.
Ingredients:
2 small acorn squash or 1 small baking pumpkin or 1 butternut squash-split in half and seeded
4 Tablespoons EVOO
salt and ground black pepper
2 links cured chorizo, casing removed, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
5-6 sprigs thyme (yeah I totally used some ground thyme)
few dashes of hot sauce (I used a little tabasco)
2 tsp paprika
pinch of ground cinnamon
2 packs prepared pie crusts (not the ones pressed into a pie plate)
2 eggs, beaten

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
Season cut side of pumpkin or squash with 1 TB EVOO, salt and pepper. Place cut-side down onto baking sheet and drizzle with another TB EVOO. Transfer to oven and roast until tender, 45-50 mins. and let cool.
While the squash is cooling, place a skillet over med-high heat with 2 TB of EVOO. Saute chorizo until golden brown and crispy, 6-7 mins. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and cool.
When cool enough to handle, scoop out the pumpkin or squash. Put into a med. size mixing bowl and combine with chorizo, thyme, hot sauce, paprika, and cinnamon. Season lightly with salt and pepper and reserve.
Lay out one pie crust and roll it out slightly. Cut into 8 evenly sized triangles. Transfer triangles to baking sheet until you have 16 bottoms on the baking sheet and 16 tops.
Divide filling among the triangles on the baking sheet, leaving room at the edges to seal the pockets. Brush the edges with egg wash then top each triable with the top wedge of dough, pressing lightly around the edges to seal the filling inside. Take a fork and lightly press the ends of the tines into the border of each pocket.
Lightly brush each turnover with egg wash. Bake until crust is golden brown, about 20 mins. Serve!

Cupcake Fetish

Cupcakes are hot right now! And I have to admit I have fallen hook, line, and sinker into this trend. Little cake indulgences. No left over half eaten sad looking cake begging you to gobble it up in its entirety or send half of it home with friends. Nope, a few bites of cupcake heaven and half the guilt. Maybe it isn't as guilt free as my brain wants me to believe, but it sure seems better than a huge slice of cake (and then a second helping of said huge slice of cake). I love getting one cupcake and making it last--what a treat. My husband and I went to a little cupcake bakery on our anniversary after the movie to get a little dessert. See? What could be more perfect and romantic? And now I'm jonesin' for more cupcake merchandise. They are just so darn cute. I have a shirt from www.johnnycupcakes.com and now I'm hunting necklaces, earrings, charms, oh you name it I want it in a cupcake. And yes, maybe this trend will soon pass, but I will enjoy it while it's here. :)

New Stocking Gift Sets Available!

Check out Soap Rehab's new Gift Sets! Set includes: one full size Soap Bar, one 4 oz. Body Butter, and one 4 oz. Bath Soak all wrapped up in a very festive red stocking.

These gift sets are available in a variety of scents. If you would like a different combination of products, I'll be happy to do a custom listing just for you! http://soaprehab.etsy.com

I got Blogged!

Check out my Wasabi Ginger Soap at: www.fallingstar924.blogspot.com. Sweet! Then check out these lime green beauties that match the green soap: http://tinyurl.com/5elt5y Love this color!

I Love Mineral Makeup!

As I said, I love mineral makeup! I started wearing it about 6 years ago when I was in the middle of a pretty bad acne breakout and wanted to change my makeup in hopes it would help clear my skin. I think it was an important part of the clearing process. In case you are unfamiliar with mineral makeup, it is made from crushed minerals mined from the earth and refined to make lovely colors. It's light, long wearing, and many of the formulations out there are non-irritant and non-comedogenic. It doesn't have that heavy, sticky feel of cream foundations, covers rosacea and acne redness better than a cream and without the irritation. I prefer foundation formulations without Bismuth Oxychloride, an ingredient found in a few mineral foundations on the market that is irritating to my skin and makes me look unnaturally shiny. With a quick sweep of the brush, mineral foundation covers well, hiding what I want to hide, and evens out my skin tone. I also find that it helps with oil control during the day and doesn't settle into my pores. My favorite mineral makeup is Aromaleigh (www.aromaleigh.com). With a very wide variety of color options and different mineral products for eyes, lips, cheeks, and face, I can find everything I need to put together all kinds of different looks. Night out? Check. Daytime fresh face minimalist look? Check. Feeling crazy? Check. Aromaleigh also has great prices and *the* best lip gloss. Ever.

Eat Well Live Well

Here's a site I recently came across called the Eat Well Guide: http://www.eatwellguide.org. If you are in the US or Canada, you can put in your zip code and find local, organic, sustainable food near you. Or if you're traveling, you can put in the city you'll be in and locate organic food sources there. You can find local butchers, bakers, farmer's markets, restaurants, wineries, etc. A very cool resource for finding unique and healthy food near you. I most recently used it to find an organic food market nearby. I love finding local food, but sometimes it can be hard to find these guys, especially small locally owned restaurants. Sometimes it seems like we live in a chain restaurant world, and it's refreshing to spend some time supporting local business and trying new food. Maybe you, too, can find a new favorite place to get food!

Start De-Stressing Now?

Since we love to make a big fuss over the winter holidays here in the USA, it can sometimes lead to a bit of stress as well. Getting the right gifts for all the right people, party planning, meal planning, fixing up the house for guests, sometimes overnight guests (all the towels clean?), and so on and so on for almost a good solid 2 months. Add in a kid or so, other people's children, in-laws, spouses, ex-spouses, friends, and it can get pretty crazy. So I turn to some good ol' yoga to give me an opportunity to breathe, get centered, focus inward for just a few minutes, and reduce the freaking out. Sometimes I only get 15 minutes in, but it really helps. I have found a website that has been helpful in my stress relief program that I thought I would share, to try to help bring sanity and peace to anyone who might be interested in this method...www.yogatoday.com. Free yoga classes online, a new one each day. They are an hour long, but you can do as much or as little as you can fit in. A variety of classes are on the website so you can choose your focus or level. Of course, you should always check with your doctor first before beginning any physical activity. It's not quite the same as connecting with people in person, and getting one on one attention, but it's great to do when you can't leave the house, or are pinched for time. Relax and say "om". :)

Dear Snow:

I love you in November. You bring the anticipation of the holidays, snuggly Thanksgiving warmed up by turkey and pie. You are romantic in December. Nights watching Christmas movies by the fire, bundled up shopping for gifts, feeling the Christmas spirit. You look like diamonds glistening in the moonlight. In January, you are really fun. Kids get out of school, sledding and skiing and snow ball fights ensue. Winter festivals make you cool. In February, you start to outstay your welcome a bit. Cuddling up for Valentine's Day is nice, though. By March, I am really sick of you. I hate the slushy wading through the icy mud and dirty snow. My car will never stay clean and my boots look a mess. Must you stay?! If you show up in April....look out.
Thank you,
Sara in Michigan

Pampering Yourself at Home--Facial Masks

For when you can't make it to the spa and your face needs a little TLC, here are a few ideas for some facial masks you can make at home.

*Puree half a peeled, sliced cucumber in a food processor or blender and add one-tablespoon plain yogurt. Apply this to the face and let set for about 20 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp washcloth. With zinc and lactic acid, yogurt is a great treatment for your skin. Cucumbers help hydrate your skin.

*Smoosh a handful of strawberries and mix well with one teaspoon honey. Apply this mixture to the face and let set for about 15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp washcloth. Strawberries are loaded with Vitamin C and help make your skin glow. Honey helps your skin retain moisture, is rich in Vitamin B, and contains antioxidants.

*Smash half of an avocado and apply this to the entire face. Let set for about 20 minutes and then gently wipe off with a damp washcloth. Rich in Vitamins A, D and E, avocado is good for very dry skin as well as sensitive skin. It helps reduce irritation and redness.

*Aspirin mask--good for acne and very oily skin. Crush up a few aspirin in a bowl, add enough water to make a slurry. Apply to your face with a cotton ball. Leave on for 10-15 mins. Gently wipe off with a damp washcloth and moisturize. Another variation is to add aloe vera gel or honey instead of water. The salicylic acid in aspirin is a good exfoliator. Honey would make this mask less drying, but make sure to use a non-comedongenic moisturizer on your face after this one.

Recipe--Creamy Scallion Dip

This is a Paula Deen recipe. If you have a party coming up, or maybe want to make a dip for the family to nosh on while dinner's cooking, this one's so quick and easy but really yummy. Tastes more complicated than it is.

Ingredients:
4 cups sour cream
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 lime, juiced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 chopped green onions

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, mix ingredients together. Top with scallions and serve with Tortilla Chips. I used the leftovers the next day as a veggie dip, and that's good, too.

In the Soap Rehab Lab

I took some pictures in the Soap Rehab "lab" to very briefly show part of the process of soapmaking. Just a little peek inside my workspace. Here are the melted oils in the pot, cooling down to the correct temperature. The lye water, also cooling (thermometer nearby to test the temperature) waiting to join forces with the oils to saponify and make amazing soap. And soap in the mold, setting up, beginning the curing process. Now that it's had time to cure, this particular batch is cut and ready to use!

Election Day Special

Free Shipping All Day at soaprehab.etsy.com. On this anxious, historic day, go vote! Then pick up a little affordable luxury for your bath.

How To Make it a Handmade Holiday

I have decided to buy handmade as much as possible this year for holiday gifts. So, friends and family, I can tell you right now your gifts will be unique, unusual, and handmade. In case you'd like to join me in this commitment to support small business, I have gathered a few sites that feature handmade items for your shopping enjoyment.

www.etsy.com -- I believe this is the largest site of its kind; many sellers offering a large variety of different items to choose from. Jewelry, bath and body, vintage, food, garden, art, cards, knitting, and much more.

www.shophandmade.com -- A newcomer, still in beta, but building a good steady base of sellers. Some vintage, candles, cards, bath and body, jewelry, handbags, quilts, etc.

www.1000markets.com -- Another newer site, building fast. It's a clean, nicely laid out site, but I'm still learning how to navigate it. I've seen some nice pottery, jewelry, clothes, art, and some unusual gift ideas.

http://en.dawanda.com -- Unusual name. Laid out in a way that feels very familiar. If you're a regular etsy buyer, I think you'll find this easy to navigate. Easy to search. Jewelry, art, clothing, bags, etc. Mostly European sellers, so check exchange rates, shipping, etc.

www.ebay.com -- There are plenty of sellers on eBay offering up their handmade wares. Check it out, sometimes good deals to be had.

www.craigslist.com -- Another site not usually thought of for handmade goods, but you'll sometimes find people selling their crafts here.

www.bigcartel.com -- A place for smaller shops...has 100 item limit. Makes browsing through shops easier. Find unusual music, art, clothing--not your grandma's craft store.

www.cafepress.com -- Here you can find original art made into T-shirts, mouse pads, bags, buttons, cards, etc.

www.indiecollective.net -- A collective of indie businesses listing links to their websites and a description of their wares. Some links are to sites at stores mentioned above, some are individual sites. All are indie-fab.

Happy Shopping!

New Product-Bath Soak

I have a new product that I'm really excited about. It's a Bath Soak, but it's much more than it sounds. It's fizzy like a bath bomb, has dead sea salts like bath salts, and is moisturizing like bath oils. It's 3 products in one! It makes a very soothing bath that's really good for your skin. The fizzing action helps soften the bath water. And it's fun! The dead sea salts are often used in spa treatments because they are therapeutic. They are beneficial to relieving muscle tension, providing deep relaxation. And dead sea salts contain minerals that detoxify your body, soften the skin, help your skin retain moisture, and reduce inflammation. I use fine grain salts so they will completely dissolve and not leave hard grainy bits that can be very uncomfortable on the tush! I also use a combination of oils and shea butter that leave your skin pleasantly moisturized but not greasy. I often find I don't even need body lotion after using this Bath Soak, but I don't feel like an oil slick, either. Here is a photo of my Three Kings Bath Soak (lovely Frankincense and Myrrh scent) available at http://soaprehab.etsy.com:

Indie Find of the Day--2009 Retro Desk Calendar

Yes, it's about that time...time to get a new calendar. I can hardly believe we're at that point in 2008, but here we are, just 2 months away from the new year. I found a great calendar on Etsy at valentinadesign.etsy.com. It's colorful and fun, making it maybe ok that we're almost into 2009. The 2009 Retro Desk Calendar:

Daily Ray of Hope

Thanks to the Sierra Club, I receive emails of beautiful pictures, taken by members from all over, accompanied by inspirational quotes. Today's was especially lovely, so I thought I'd share. To sign up: http://tinyurl.com/58kkjx

Photo Credit: Marc Crumpler Location: Black Diamond Regional Park, Antioch, CA

I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. -- John Muir

Yogurt Making

I know it's a very practical thing...but how great would it be to save money, reduce wasteful packaging, and make your own healthy yogurt without all the additives?! So, this is going on my Christmas List this year. You can use any kind of milk (soy yogurt maybe) and the yogurt stays good in the refrigerator for 3 weeks, without even adding any preservatives. You can also use it to make yogurt cheese. I can see getting really creative with my own yogurt flavors and having a blast. Not to mention all the health benefits. Which I won't. Because talking about intestines is out of my scope of fun. But we know it's good for you and you can read all about it. Here's the one I found at Lucy's Kitchen Shop (http://www.lucyskitchenshop.com):

Free Rice

Check this out! www.freerice.com A way to increase your vocabulary and raise money for a good cause at the same time. For each correct answer, a sponsor donates 20 grains of rice through the UN World Food Program to help end hunger. And after you've brushed up on your vocab, you can change subjects to chemistry, other languages, geography, math, grammar, or art. There is a very thorough FAQ section so you can read about how it works and the good they're doing around the world.

Pumpkin Muffins

I used the Pumpkin Bundt Cake recipe that I posted a couple of days ago and put it in muffin tins. It made 2 dozen pumpkin muffins and they are delish! If you want to try it, they only had to bake 30 mins in the oven. The rest of the recipe was the same, except I didn't use walnuts.

Our Jack-O-Lanterns

Indie Find of the Day--Holly Golightly Sleep Mask

Check this out! Great for fans of Audrey Hepburn and 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and practical,too! I'm thinking this could really help me sleep through the flashing glow of the TV when a certain someone wants to watch TV and I'd like to sleep. And I could do so with such cheeky style (in contrast to the crabby propping up of the blanket over my face). Found at MissIndie's Etsy store: missindie.etsy.com.

Pumpkin Bundt Cake Recipe

Ingredients:
1 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 can pumpkin -- (15 ounce)
puree
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups white sugar
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 10 inch bundt or tube pan.

Cream oil, beaten eggs, pumpkin and vanilla together.

Sift the flour, sugar, baking soda, ground nutmeg, ground allspice, ground cinnamon, ground cloves and salt together. Add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture and mix until just combined. If desired, stir in some chopped nuts. Pour batter into the prepared pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cake cool in pan for 5 minutes then turn out onto a plate and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.
Yum!!

Ode to Pumpkins

The much beloved classic symbol of fall, the pumpkin is a winter fruit only available this time of year. It starts in October, lasts through Thanksgiving and on to Christmas with a cornucopia of pumpkin deserts, activities, decorations, and lots of pumpkin love. I love the mad rush for pumpkin lattes, pumpkin ice cream treats, and all the other pumpkin related menu items that pop up this time of year. Pumpkin seeds are high in protein, and the pumpkin seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids, so no reason to waste 'em! Pumpkin is high in vitamins A and C, is low in calories (when not smothered with butter, of course--it's only 15 calories for 1/2 cup), and is a great source of fiber. Vitamins A and C are powerful antioxidants, which are good at neutralizing free radicals--those spazzed out molecules that attack cell membranes and leave the cells vulnerable to damage. Neutralizing free radicals is important internally as well as externally for your skin cells. Pumpkin pulp also contains exfoliating enzymes that work to gently dissolve dead skin buildup, paving the way for softer, smoother skin. Another food that's good for you inside and out so go ahead and eat up...and bathe in it, too! ;)

Ingredient Spotlight-Organic Palm Oil

Found on the back of my Newman's Own Alphabet Cookies:
Organic Palm Oil:
-Is not hydrogenated
-Contains no trans-fatty acids
-Is lower in saturated fat than butter and has no cholesterol
-Is widely used in Europe as an alternative to partially hydrogenated oils
-Is extracted from the palm's fruit, not the palm's kernel
-Can be grown organically in tropical regions

Well the cookies are certainly delish. And apparently, Organic Palm Oil is emerging as a new healthier alternative that remains solid at room temperature. I wonder if we'll be seeing this more in cooking recipes as well as mass produced commercial foods. Around the world, palm is one of the most popular cooking oils, so maybe it's only a matter of time before its popularity increases in the US. The emphasis on organic with palm oil is that large companies have clear cut large tracts of land in tropical regions, including the rain forest regions, where the ecosystem has become largely endangered in recent years. By sustainably harvesting palm oil, we get a product that works with those local communities instead of alienating them, is healthy to cook with, and helps preserve the rain forests. In regards to soap, palm oil when used in combination with other oils, helps to create a harder bar, is less soluble in water so its firmness holds up over time, cleans well, and is mild. I recently started purchasing Organic Palm Oil, so this is now being used at Soap Rehab wherever palm oil is a part of the formulation.

Indie Find of the Day--Absolute Pink Necklace

I love pink, and I love Hawaii, and this necklace is the perfect combo. Fun, bold, and just the right amount of kitsch, it takes me right back to our honeymoon on Oahu. The feeling of the warm tropics can help melt that chill creeping up in the air. I found this at pulpsushi.etsy.com.

Best Holiday Truffle Recipe

I love making these for Christmas, to give as gifts or to serve for holiday parties. This is a fun team recipe, too. Mom and I have had lots of fun making these, and my husband, son, and I have made them together, too. They're quick and easy and really tasty. I usually make them with just milk chocolate, but adding the white is nice for a pretty presentation. I also make them larger than recommended here and get about half the number of truffles.

Oreo Truffles

1 pkg. (20 oz.) Oreos
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
15 oz. white candy coating
12 ounces chocolate candy coating

Place cookies in blender or food processor; cover and process until finely crushed.
In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and crushed cookies until blended. Roll into ¾” balls. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Dip half balls in white coating chocolate and the rest in chocolate. Store in refrigerator.
7 dozen.

Benefits of Handmade Soap

Found this interesting article online, and it seemed fitting. :) Enjoy:

Soap is the type of product that easily gets taken for granted. You use it in your morning shower, throughout the day to wash your hands, and perhaps again at night while taking a warm bath to relax.

While it is certainly a product that people use a lot of, and most people wouldn't want to live without, it remains a product that does not get a lot of attention.

Did you know, for instance, that most of the soaps available in the store are actually detergents? Detergents are known to leave the skin feeling dry and itchy. The soaps that are mass produced and sold in stores often contain many chemicals that can be further skin irritants and even harmful to humans.

In the last few years, more and more news stories have uncovered the facts about the dangerous chemicals found in health and beauty products. As a result, many people are turning towards more natural products, including homemade soap.

Homemade soaps contain natural oils, such as olive oil. Another big difference is that homemade soaps contain glycerin, which is a soap by-product that is gentle on even the most sensitive skins.

Aside from the moisturizing effects, homemade soaps are also a guilt-free way to indulge yourself. Many of them are made with essential oils and can be used in aromatherapy.

When a person makes their own soap, or buys homemade soap from another person, the buyer can find something specific for his or her skin problems, such as dry skin or acne.

While homemade soaps may appear to cost more initially, they are also denser and can last a lot longer than their grocery store competition. Another cost-saving feature to homemade soap is that, on average, they are safe for sensitive skin and can be used by all members of your family. If you currently buy several types of store-brand soap, you can switch to one type of homemade soap.

These are just a few of the benefits of using homemade soap. When you stop using store-brand soaps, you will be avoiding harsh chemicals that can irritate your skin. Switching to homemade soap will allow you to nourish and soothe your skin with natural ingredients. Homemade soap is an affordable luxury that once you start using, you won't want to live without.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Ashe

Ingredient Spotlight-Avocado Oil

Avocados contain at least 75% mono-unsaturated fats, are high in protein, high in nutrients so they're good for you to eat. But once again, I take all this good stuff and make it into skin care products! Avocado oil is taken from the pulp of the avocado. A rich, deeply penetrating oil that is high in vitamins A and D, and E, plus magnesium, copper, iron, calcium, potassium and many other trace elements. It is excellent for dry, scaly skin and is said to help with regenerating the skin and softening the tissue. Good for extremely sensitive skin. Fantastic for rich moisturizing lotions and body butters, and also helps make a really nice soap. I use it quite a bit in my formulating, because I really enjoy the way it penetrates the skin, moisturizes even the super dry areas, and leave skin feeling so much better.

Recipe-New Take on "Coffee" Cake

Need:
1 coffee mug
4 Tbsp. flour
4 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. cocoa
1 egg
3 Tbsp. milk
3 Tbsp. oil
Small splash of vanilla
3 Tbsp. chocolate chips, optional
Add dry ingredients to mug, mix well with a fork. Add egg, mix thoroughly. Pour in milk and oil and vanilla, mix well. Add chips, if using. Put mug in microwave, and cook for three minutes on 1000 watts. Cake will rise over top of mug--do not be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little; tip onto a plate if desired.
Eat!
(This can serve two if you want to feel slightly more virtuous.)
A Big thank you to Franz who posted this recipe on a message board full of hungry women.

My first Etsy listing

I am ridiculously excited to have my first item listed! It looks a bit lonely there by itself, but I'll continue to add more items this week. My Etsy shop is: soaprehab.etsy.com. Link to item: http://tinyurl.com/535q3b And here's the picture of my big listing numero uno. My FreshTart Soap bar:

Snow Covered Pine Cones Tutorial

Using white candle wax, break up into smaller chunks. Melt the wax in a double boiler or use an empty clean coffee or large veggie can in a pot of boiling water on the stove. Use extreme caution as the wax is flammable. Make sure you have enough wax that the pine cones can be fully immersed. After the wax is melted, you can use candle coloring to make colored pine cones if you'd like (red or green perhaps) or leave it white for the snow covered look. This is also when you can add essential oils or candle safe fragrances. Maybe a holiday inspired scent...peppermint, cinnamon, orange spice, or maybe a bakery scent like pumpkin pie. I think peppermint would be nice with the white, but there are lots of options out there for your favorite scent. Lower the heat. Using tongs, dip the pine cone into the wax. Hold over the pot and let the wax harden slightly. Re-dip until you get the amount of "snow" you'd like. On wax paper, sprinkle some white or iridescent glitter (to keep up the snow theme) and roll the pine cone in the glitter, or sprinkle the glitter over the top while the wax is still warm. You could get creative with the glitter, maybe use silver or gold, or any color you like! Leave the pine cones on wax paper until completely cool and hardened. These look nice in a bowl, basket or a pretty vase and would make a nice holiday gift.

A Very Brief Soapy Clean History

Cleanliness can be traced back to prehistoric times, although cleaning then likely just involved rinsing with water, birdbath style. There is some evidence of soap making in the history of Ancient Rome, though. By the 7th century, Soap making as a craft was well established in Europe. The ashes of plants combined with vegetable and animal oils were used to make soap. Italy, Spain and France were early centers of soap manufacturing, due to their ready supply of oil from olive trees. Skipping forward several hundred years, scientific discoveries in producing alkalis from common salt, along with other advances in the study of oils and the properties of the glycerin that also results from the chemical process, together with the development of power to operate factories, made soap making one of America's fastest-growing industries by 1850. The chemistry of soap manufacturing stayed essentially the same until 1916, when the first synthetic detergent was developed in Germany in response to a World War I-related shortage of fats for making soap. Known today simply as detergents, or sometimes referred to as "syndets", synthetic detergents are non-soap washing and cleaning products that are "synthesized" or put together chemically from a variety of raw materials. These are not "true" soap. They are built using a surfactant and builder. The surfactant is a detergent's basic cleaning ingredient, and a builder helps the surfactant to work more efficiently. Phosphate compounds are often used as builders in detergents, especially in laundry detergent and dishwashing detergent. They are harsh on your skin and have a negative impact on the environment. These phosphates present a significant pollution problem in lakes and ground water, encouraging excessive growth of aquatic plants causing green algae blooms. And now we have a resurgence in the craft of handmade soapmaking by people like me...people looking to get clean Old School style!

Ingredient Spotlight-Mango Butter

The mango fruit is rich in a variety of phytonutrients that qualify it as a "superfruit", a term used to highlight potential health value of certain fruits. It's high in fiber, Vitamin C, and carotene. So they're good for you to eat as well as good for your skin.
Mango Butter is extracted from the fruit kernels. It has natural emollient and wound healing properties. It softens the skin, moisturizes and nourishes dry skin without feeling overly greasy, and is even said to restore elasticity and reduce signs of aging. Also, mango butter is a good source of essential fatty acids. It's hard at room temperature, but melts on contact with the skin making it great in a variety of bath and body products. This is one of my favorite ingredients...I use it in my favorite soap formulation as well as body butter and even lip balm.

You've Got Nails

They get neglected. Put on the backburner. Left alone while you tend to all the other million things that are more important. And yes, nail care in this century is more about appearances than protection. However, as far as finger nails go, they're out there front and center. So when you've neglected this part of body care...everyone can see. I've been an obsessive nail polisher for years. Re-polish every week....Saturday morning nail time. But I've been trying to go au naturale for the past few weeks and made a discovery. If I put a few seconds effort into it, they look just as good unpolished. I've been putting a cuticle cream, oil, or balm on every morning and night. Real fast, takes seconds. I like to mix it up (big adventure seeker I am) so I switch between a cream, oil and balm to see which I like better. All of them make my nails feel and look better. Over the past two weeks the condition of my nails has improved dramatically. I no longer need to be ashamed to leave my house with nekkid nails. One less thing to worry about.

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Pampering Yourself at Home

Tip: Soothe those eyes. After a long day, our eyes can get so bleary. Cucumbers are a favorite when it comes to soothing tired eyes. And it really works! Cool them in the fridge and slice in pieces, big enough to rest on your closed eyes. If you don't want cuke eyes, or are short on green stuff in your fridge, using cotton dipped in cold water will provide a similar effect. Dip cotton balls in a glass of cold water and squeeze them a bit to avoid too much drip. Tilt your head back and place it in a relaxed position. (A neck pillow would be nice.) Put the cotton balls on each eye and just enjoy. Once you feel the cotton balls have gotten warm, you can dip them in the cold water again for another round (rinse and repeat). ahhhhhh.....

My Favorite Marinara Sauce Recipe

From Giada's Family Dinners:
2 (28 oz) cans whole tomatoes in juice
1 bunch of fresh basil, stemmed
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 small onions, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp sugar
salt and freshly ground pepper

In a blender, puree the tomatoes with their juice and the basil until almost smooth. Set the puree aside.
Heat the oil in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and saute until very tender, about 12 mins. Stir in the tomato puree, oregano and sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Decrease the heat to medium and continue simmering until the sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 mins. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper. This sauce can be made a day ahead....just cool, cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat.

Notes: This makes a lot of sauce. Over spaghetti, easily feeds a family of four. Even if teens are involved. Quick and easy, yet very fresh and delish.

Children of the Corn

We went to a corn maze today. The kids all ran off one way, the adults another. Wandering around a field with nothing but the sun and a large silo as a guide will make you think a bit about choices. Left or right? Where are we in relation to where we want to be? What lies around the next corner? Should I just wander aimlessly and hope for the best? Or always keep an eye on the goal? How fast do I want to get there? Do I let the advice of others steer me in the wrong direction? Do I stubbornly stay on course even though my gut is telling me I might be wrong? Or do I choose someone who looks like they know where they're going and follow them? If the end of the maze is not the goal, or if there IS no goal...well then it just doesn't matter much which way you go. Sometimes it's nice to not have a care in the world for a little while, and just let your feet take you anywhere, soak up the sun and bask in the freedom. Then that gets a little old and it's time to get back on task...toward the end where there's sweet rewards of apple cider and doughnuts.

Brewed Chocolate...the next big beverage thing?

I read about this on the Rare Bird Finds Blog (which you can find on my list of blogs below). It's called Cabaret Brewed Chocolate and without even trying it yet I think this could be a big hit (well certainly in my house). Sounds so good to me today...it's snuggly cool this morning and a big mug of steaming chocolate would hit the spot! Quoting from the blog:

"But let’s back up, what is “this stuff”? Cabaret Brewed Chocolate is a thin syrup brewed from whole raw cacao beans in a process similar to brewing coffee, but that’s where the similarities to coffee end. The resulting syrup is mixed into hot water (or other beverages) and it creates a drink that is similar to chocolate tea. And that’s key here, this is not a packaged cocoa mix. The syrup is made of only roasted cacao beans and evaporated cane juice and straight from the jar it is reminiscent to the chocolate sauce you might put on ice cream (and by the way, you can totally do that with Cabaret too). Mixed into hot water, the result is delicate and pleasant. The flavor has the depth, smokiness and sophistication of a high quality cocoa. I drank a cup before bed on several occasions and found it to be a lovely nightcap. Some people claim that brewed chocolate gives them a “lift” and makes them alert without the jittery feelings created by caffeinated beverages. I don’t know that I felt any different but I also didn’t have any problems falling asleep on the nights I indulged.

I have also tried Cabaret Brewed Chocolate mixed with my morning coffee and mixed with soymilk. It added a slight chocolate flavor and sweetness to the coffee but it did wonders for the soymilk. I have not yet tried it mixed with any alcoholic beverages but the website suggests mixing it with water and whisky, rum or vodka and I think that sounds like a fine idea.

With 24 calories per teaspoon and less than half a gram of fat, it’s a bit of a nutritional bargain when mixed with water or low fat milk or soymilk. Chocolate famously contains many antioxidants and the limited amount of processing that Cabaret does helps retain all the good stuff. And while the lack of fat may make some say that it tastes like weak cocoa (well, that’s what my husband thought anyway) it certainly makes it more diet friendly. In fact, I might suggest this to those with huge chocolate cravings who need a little support with fewer calories than a candy bar. Value wise, this isn’t bad, a $14.95 makes 24 for half cup servings, which is not a lot, but you don’t need more than a half cup because it really is that satisfying. It’s also very nicely packaged and would make a lovely hostess gift. Personally, I’d like to serve it as an after-dinner drink in demitasse cups.

You can read more about Cabaret Brewed Chocolate and even order it right from their website."

Falling for Fall

I love fall! The leaves are changing to such vibrant hues of red and gold. The air is nice and brisk without the thickness of summer. One of my favorite things about fall is when the mums bloom. A burst of pretty flowers to remind you that even though it's getting colder...it isn't *quite* yet winter. Oh, and my other favorite thing...pumpkin EVERYTHING! :)

Bubbly good

Just un-molding a fresh batch of Champagne soap today. I can practically smell the champagne bubbles!! I made this soap with a healthy heaping of Shea Butter. Shea Butter is made from the seeds of the karite tree of Western Africa. Very moisturizing, makes for luxurious bubbles and a nice hard bar of soap.