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: