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.