Coconut Orange Body Scrub

Hey friends!  Long time no see!  I have no excuse other than some other things have had to take priority, and there aren't enough hours in a day.  But I think I am back.  I think I said that before, but I am pretty positive now.  I am running 2 businesses, caring for my grand littles a few days a week and trying to keep up the blog and website.  Oh then there is being a wife, and having household duties, and all of that stuff!  We have had weddings, and baby showers and lots of photo shoots, it is crazy but I refuse to give up the things I love, so even if it is between 2 and 6 a.m., I WILL keep things up!

So speaking of baby showers, I held a surprise one this week for my niece Maegon.  She is my oldest niece, she is only 5 years younger than me, so she is more like a little sister.  She is pregnant with her first baby, and this was something she was told may never happen so I wanted to celebrate big!  She lives out of state and was coming in for another nieces wedding and it was the perfect time!  I wanted to do something fun for the favors, as I themed her shower "The Jungle Book".  Her favorite color is orange (good choice, so is mine).  So I filled brown paper bags with banana runts, gummy bears, coconut jelly beans, animal crackers, bright green sixlets (needed the color!) and this sugar scrub.  Lots of you said you didn't mind seeing a recipe that wasn't food, although, you technically could eat this so if you have little ones and like to keep things natural, well, this is safe. 

There are 5 million recipes for body scrubs out there.  Many the same and many different.  I had some coconut oil I wanted to use up, and I wanted a sugar based scrub and not a salt one.  By the way, this is an awkward disclaimer, make sure you use this on your body and keep it away from, umm..... your "undercarriage" as it is sugar based which feeds yeast and well, I will let you google it, if you don't know what I am sayin!  OMG, that was so weird to type in a food blog.  Let's hurry ad just move on.  Act like it didn't happen.

This made about 10 half pint jars, but if you are using just for yourself, store in an airtight container and use it before self tanning, after being out in the sun, or just to pamper your skin it smells out of this world and it works amazing!  My mix and match was a hit, so here we go!

1 cup coconut oil, melted
4 cups granulated sugar
10 drops of orange essential oil.  (I purchase it at my local natural product store)
orange food coloring

Literally just put this all in a bowl and start mixing.  It might take a couple of minutes but it will all mix beautifully. 

The addition of the food coloring will not affect your skin at all.  When you have the color consistent you are basically done!  While I can't be exact on the shelf life, I am sure that it is at least several weeks and honestly, it won't be around that long anyway!!!

Enjoy soft, exfoliated, delicious smelling skin!!

How to Clean Your Silver. Amazingly effective and easy!

So as most you know I have been spending a lot of time with my parents.   The last time I was there, my mom and I cleaned out her buffet.  We came across her almost completely black silver tea service.  She expressed that she might take it somewhere to have it professionally cleaned and put it back out because she loves it.  I laughed at the thought of the poor sucker who had to manage to clean that things up. 

Well, she had to go out of town for a few hours, so I turned to you all for advice on how to clean this thing up.  I thought if I could make a dent at least I could clean it every time I was there until it was clean.  One of you posted an ehow link and I went with it.  I wish I had a before photo because here is the after......

Next time I am there, I am going to do this again, just to make sure things are really clean.  This was incredible and though it isn't food, it qualifies as the "and my life" part!  My mom almost DIED when she saw it.  She was sure I took it somewhere while she was gone.  Perfect 10 strikes again!

Here is how this works.  They say you can put it right in boiling water, but 2 of my pieces were to big so you can do it how I did it, or do it all in the pot of boiling water if your silver pieces fit.

Clean your sink well.  In the bottom of the sink, lay a piece of aluminum foil, shiny side UP.  Please your pieces on top of it.  (when I did the tray I put the foil shiny side down on top so it was in contact with the area needing cleaned) Get it?

In a LARGE pot, boil water.  Boil enough to cover what you are doing as best you can.  Add in 1 tbsp. baking soda, and 1 tbsp. salt.  Pour it over the pieces and let sit for 5 minutes.  (less if less tarnished).  drain the water or lift it out of the water and with a soft rag start rubbing it.  You barely need to rub it at all.  In fact, I  put that tray under hot running water and the black just rinsed away!  It was SO cool!

If your pieces are small enough, lay the bottom of your pot with foil, add water, baking soda and salt and bring to a boil, slide in your smaller pieces, turn off the burner and wait.  Remove and wipe clean. 

I hope this is helpful for anyone who needs silver cleaned.  It is an ehow.com recipe, I just wanted to share it, as being completely effective and almost miraculous!!!

Your "addicted to cleaning silver" Chefwannabe

My Christmas letter to you......

Good Morning and Merry Christmas Eve!

It is with great love, happiness and friendship I write my Christmas letter to you, friends I never would have been blessed enough to meet without the creation of FoodThoughtsOfaChefWannabe.  It is early, and I am sitting in the recliner, with a cup of Mockiatto, all the lights out except the light in the manger and the Christmas tree lights.  I love to reflect in the morning, alone, in the quiet and stillness, just "being" in the right now.   I am sure this letter will be all over the place, as I have a hard time organizing my thought sometimes.  I just like to put things down, and go with it.  I am sure you all don't mind.

This year has been a crazy one.  So many little, crazy, unimportant things going on.  Of course they didn't seem like little things when they were going on.  We welcomed our new daughter in law this year, we travelled to south Georgia to celebrate our children's wedding.  That was the highlight of our year, what a beautiful time together we had.  Luckily our son hasn't deployed again and we pray he won't for awhile, but if he does, we accept he is defending the country and people he loves, living his dream and for that we are touched, proud and grateful.  How many of us can say we are living our dream?  This little (OK now big) boy has been going to be a soldier since the moment he could talk.  We love you Cody, Kayla and our granddaughter Madalynn.  We miss you at the holidays and all year.  We don't get to see you enough but  you are never out of our thoughts, hearts or prayers.  Aren't they precious?! (swoon)

I found this photo and I wish I had MY version of this photo.  It has a little story.  My dad has played Santa Claus for at least 45+ years.  He is a jolly big guy and the part couldn't be more perfectly played.  At our church in my hometown there is a children's mass before midnight mass.  It usually has children dancing, live animals and Santa.   One year, after communion, the entire congregation including those in chairs set up in the back and standing in the aisles, was quiet.  reflecting, and praying.  My dad, without a sound, walked into the church, walked down the center aisle, all decked out in his Santa suit, and beard that looks so real I have even seen adults tug it.  He walked down to the alter, in front of the huge manger, and got down on one knee, removed his hat, and prayed.  He later told me he prayed for the children and families who were sick, or broken, for peace and for all to know the love of their Savior.  Without a sound, he got back up, and walked right back down the center aisle, and out the door.  The looks on the children's faces were on shock, adults had tears running down their face.  What is it about the meeting up of  baby Jesus and Santa?  Well, like I said I saw this photo and had to share that story with you.  Somewhere floats the picture of my dad, the "real" Santa who has spent endless Christmas Eve's loading his big red bag full of gifts left in cars or garages and busted through many a front door to the "ohhhss" and "aahhhs" of children and adults alike.  I have helped him deliver anything from a horse with beautiful tinsel braided into its mane and tail, to groceries to unsuspecting families going through hard times.  He even got word early in his Santahood of a dying elderly woman, on Christmas eve, who only wanted a lollipop and visit from Santa before she died.  Need I tell you, she got both?  I could go on and on with these kinds of stories but my purpose besides sharing this photo with you, is to encourage you to never stop "doing unto others as you would want done unto you".  You never know when a kind word, or gesture will be the last you give or receive, make every moment count for the good!

I realize we don't all share the same religion, in fact some of you don't have a religion, or believe in what I believe.  That is OK!!  Regardless, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, celebrating whatever you do believe the true meaning is.  CHERISH special time with your friends, your family, anyone you love.  Remember it is always better to give than to receive and that means ANYTIME of year.  When you see someone in need, lend them a helping hand, no matter what it is, anytime you can.  Let this holy day, be one of HOPE, and PROMISE as it should be!  Eat LOTS of candy, cookies, desserts..........I mean we all know it is the only time of year where gaining weight is acceptable right?!?!

I started this blog for a very personal reason.  Please know, your presence here, your friendship, laughing together, and going through personal life events you share with me is never taken for granted.  You are all an important part of my life, and I think you for making each day full of laughter, and kindness for me and those who are also part of the Chefwannabe family.  I pray you are all kept in good health, happiness and the greatest joy you have ever known in the new year. 

Merry Christmas!!  I leave you with my favorite (not religious) Christmas song......since this IS my Christmas card to you!

 

With love,

Chris

FoodThoughtsOfaChefWannabe

Highly Requested - Laundry Soap (Liquid)

I have had this requested a lot so instead of sending it to a ton of different people I will share it with you ALL!!

I started making laundry soap about 3 years ago.  It is the best decision I have made, EVER!!  Out of each recipe I usually get 5-8 regular size bottles of detergent and it costs approx 4.00 per batch, MAYBE.  That is likely a high estimate.

I do have to say, I do NOT know how this works on extremely dirty clothes.  For someone with a hubby who works outside, or farms or mechanics, I do not know.  My husband sits in an office all day!!

I can tell you my clothes are extremely clean, and stains even though I sometimes still treat bad ones, are always gone.  I love it and I usually add fabric softener as well.  We like our clothes to smell nice :)

Here it is, let me know if you try it how it works for you!!!  Fels Naptha bars you usually find on the TOP shelf of the laundry aisle.  If you are going to do this for the long haul, invest in a long mixing bit for your drill and a good bucket with lid, especially if you have little ones or pets!!

2/3 of a bar of FeLS NAPTHA Heavy Duty Bar soap (grated)
1 cup ARM AND HAMMER All Natural Super Washing Soda
1 cup 20 MULE TEAM BORAX Natural Laundry Booster
5 Gallon Bucket (clean)

Use an old pot and add soap to 6 pints of water cook on 

low/medium until all soap is dissolved. When it is completely 

dissolved add arm and hammer and borax. Cook until it thickens, 

stirring all the time. Pour 2 quarts of water into 5 gallon bucket. 

Add soap mixture and stir well. Fill bucket with more hot water 

until about 4 inches from the top of the bucket. Skim off the soap 

scum. Let sit 24 hours to thicken. It will be a gelatinous like consistency. 

After 24 hours, mix with a long drill powered paint stirrer. We got 

one at home depot pretty inexpensively. Mix completely and repeat in 

24 more hours. You can add a bottle of fabric softener for the 

scent and softening.

I actually only beat mine once, and then bottle immediately after 

the second time. On the same note, I have forgotten and waited 2 

days before I did it the first time, it just takes a bit more mixing, 

but is no big deal. Save some laundry bottles, it is what I do. I 

think I get close to 5 or so batches of soap out of the arm and hammer and 

borax. The fels naptha of course you need one bar every time 

basically but i buy it for 1.00 a bar.



Hope you try it, hope your happy with it if you do........sure makes 

a huge difference money wise. 

Your " I LOVE doing laundry and no I am not joking"chefwannabe

Cinnamon Applesauce Christmas Ornaments

Happy Monday evening!  I hope your day was good and you are snuggled in warm jammies, and enjoying your evening!  It is FREEZING here in Nebraska.  I spent the day with my sister shopping.  It was wonderful, some of you know I am unable to drive, so its great to get a day out without bugging hubby!!!

Anyway.....I have always wanted to make these ornaments and just never have.  You fine friends have been posting different recipes so I tried them.  This is not my recipe, I am not sure where I got it.  These are my artistically challenged ornaments in the photo however.   I feel the need to clarify since there has been some scandal going on in the foodie world as of late.  If  a recipe I blog is not mine, or hasn't been severely altered to meet my needs in which I take ownership of my version, I will give credit to where it came from.  I will even link you up to it if you want me to.  All of my photos are MINE.  They are my final product, and if you haven't noticed, they are quite amateur!  Bottom line....if I ever use anyone else's recipes or photos, they will be given credit.  Ok done with that.  Now.......

I had a few drinks Sunday night while making these.  I mean what else are you supposed to do for 2.5 hours while they are baking/drying.  I added some extra vodka to some Mudslide premix, so excuse the Hawaiian Christmas Bikini Girl.  I hope she is not offensive, but she was fun.  She could possibly be chefwannabe's new mascot.  What do you think?

Here we go with the complicated, intricate, and somewhat confusing recipe for these ornaments. :)

You will need:

3/4 cup applesauce

4 ounces cinnamon (1/2 cup)

1 straw2

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees.  Mix until a dough forms.  If it seems to dry add a tsp of applesauce at a time.  If it seems to wet, add more cinnamon.  Roll out and use cookie cutters in the shape you want your ornaments to be. When you have them all on the cookie sheet, use a straw to make a hole for a hanger to hang them.  Usually at the top!   I put them on parchment paper on the cookie sheet.  You will get 12-15 out of this.  I got 15.  It all depends on the size of cutters you use.  Bake for 2 1/2 hours.  Remove and let cool.  Decorate with paint, ribbon, buttons, glue, anything, your options are limitless!!!

The smell in your house is incredible!!  I hope you get your children involved or someone's children involved!  It is a fun project!

Your "cinnamon= Christmas" chefwannabe

Chris