Gee, Your Hair Smells Part II

I'm sure you remember my first post about hair smelling.

The other night, RT was giving Bella a hug and went in to smell her hair.  She gave him a look, waiting for his reaction.  He told her that it wasn't bad, but, at the scalp-line, it was getting bad.  He asked when she last washed her hair (a couple of days ago).  I tossed in that she had PE that day.  

RT:  Well, that explains it.

Bella argued that it couldn't be that bad.  She decided to smell RT's hair.  After smelling his hair, she declared that it was REALLY bad.  RT then said he "didn't wash it today."

Apparently I'm living with people that smell each other's hair for entertainment. 

Hoarders Anonymous

I've mentioned RT's hoarding problem in previous posts.

This past weekend, I asked everyone in the house to go through their clothes and shoes and get rid of items that don't fit (or items they do not wear).  As the seasons change, I find it's a great time for closet cleaning.  This way, we can find out what everyone needs to get through the next season.  And, it's only one trip to the store, which makes it a lot easier for me.

I asked RT to go through his clothes (he has millions of pairs of jeans) and shoes (I don't have an exact number, because I can't count that high).

Apparently, this was a success.  I got both RT and Bella to go through their things.  (Nick and Alex did go through their clothes last month, so, I wasn't too worried about them).  RT narrowed his jean collection.  He went through some coats and shirts and told me that he found some napkins.  He admits he has a problem and agrees to seek out help.

The only area that wasn't touched?  RT's shoes.  He said that he got rid of two pairs.  There are millions and millions of pairs of shoes in this collection.  I know that I should look at this as a good start.  The only problem is, it's just that.  A start.  I have a feeling that those shoes are going to be around a LONG time.  They might even need their own storage facility so we can display them.  We can build it right next to the one that will hold all of the napkins.

Easy Vanilla Frosting

Had to decorate some cupcakes for a recent birthday, and needed a quick, easy frosting recipe.  It isn't vegan, but, it's super simple.  Thought I would share.

Easy Vanilla Frosting

ingredients:
2 cups confectioners sugar
2 Tbsp butter, softened
2 Tbsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

directions:
Combine the above ingredients.  Mix on low until smooth and fluffy.  Spread on cupcakes or cake.


*I updated this for chocolate frosting.  I used 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar and 1/2 cup cocoa.    For a minty flavor, melt some mint chocolate chips and add to the frosting.

I'll try working on an easy vegan frosting.  Until then, this easy frosting will do.

Pumpkin Soap Recipe

It's that time of year!  All things Pumpkin!!!

I found this recipe for Pumpkin Soap and had to make a batch for myself!  Unfortunately I think it has to set for several weeks.  Let's see if I can hold on that long!

Here's the recipe....check out the link if you want pictures and more details on how to make the soap.


Pumpkin Soap Recipe

10oz olive oil
20oz coconut oil
8oz distilled water
4.73 oz lye
3 oz pumpkin puree
3 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice (optional)
15 drops each: clove essential oil and cinnamon essential oil (optional)
Safety gear: (safety goggles, long sleeve shirt, gloves and apron)
Equipment to make soap (supplies that are only used for soap making)
crockpot (used only for soap making) 

Always run recipe through a soap/lye calculator.  Especially if you decide to change oils or oil amounts.


Weigh all of the ingredients using a kitchen scale.  

Measure out the lye (making sure that you are wearing all of the safety gear)
Turn the crockpot on and place oils in.  Coconut oil must melt completely.

Gently stir lye into water.  Lye must be poured into water, otherwise there will be a bad chemical reaction.  Mixture will heat up, so, proceed with caution.  Stir until completely dissolved.  Let mixture sit for 10 minutes.  (it's great if you can leave it outside to cool off a bit)

Once the oils have melted in your crockpot, slowly mix in the lye/water mixture.  
Use your stick blender and blend for 4-5 minutes.  The mixture will become opaque and have a pudding like consistency (trace).

When the mixture has reached a light trace (thickened, but not holding shape), blend in the pumpkin puree.  

Blend until you reach trace (thick and smooth).

Put lid on slow cooker and set to low for 45-60 minutes.  Best to hang around while this is happening.  Don't disappear!

After 60 minutes, unplug the crockpot and stir in the essential oils and pumpkin spice.  The soap will start setting, so move quickly.
Spoon mixture into your mold, cover with towel and let sit for 24 hours to harden.

After 24 hours, remove from mold and cut into bars.  I let them sit another 4-5 weeks.  You can probably use after 2-3 weeks.  I like to make sure that the soap bar hardens before using it.



If you decide to make pumpkin soap, let me know how it turns out!

What to do with leftover Halloween Candy

Eat it!

Ha ha ha.

That's what my children have been doing.  Of course, only one child went trick or treating this year, but, she has enough candy for our entire family for a year.  I think RT and Alex are secretly helping her out.

If you have tons of candy like us, here are a few suggestions on what to do with the "leftovers," besides eating them...

Make cupcakes!  After pouring the batter into the cupcake liners, put an unwrapped (mini) chocolate candy bar in the center and then bake.

Open the bags of M & M's and put them in your batter when making cookies.

Unwrap small dresses Peanut butter cups and Hershey's Chocolate Kisses and put them in cookie dough balls before baking.

Bring some to a Senior Living Community.  They would love to have a piece of candy (preferably something easy to eat).

Did you eat all of your Halloween candy yet?

Vegan Diaries - Energy Bites

I mentioned that I was looking for vegan dessert options.  I'm not sure where I found this recipe.  I tried it (it's REALLY easy to make) and it was a huge hit.  And, the best part?  You don't have to bake them!  

Don't blame me if you get hooked on them.

Here's the recipe:

Energy Bites

ingredients:
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup agave
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup oats
2/3 cup toasted, shredded coconut*
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
6 TBSP mini chocolate chips 

directions:
In  a bowl, mix peanut butter, vanilla and agave.
Add the rest of the ingredients.
Chill until set.
Shape into 1 inch balls.
Store in container in the refrigerator.


*I put the shredded coconut in the food processor so it didn't have big chunks of coconut sticking out.  I also used unsweetened coconut.

**Feel free to substitute honey for the agave.  Also feel free to add less honey or agave.


If you try making the Energy Bites, let me know what you think! 

Enjoy!

Belly Ache Day

Another Halloween has passed and large  huge  enormous  a lot of candy has entered our house from hours of Trick or Treating.   I think we have enough candy for five lifetimes.  Bella and RT have already dug into the candy stash (and have not made a dent in it).  Trying to get my family to eat anything (other than candy) on Halloween has always been a challenge.

My Dad always called the day after Halloween, "Belly Ache Day."  You know....from eating too much candy on Halloween!  I always thought it was funny (because I never ate too much candy on Halloween).  But, then I had children.  Two of them with HUGE sweet tooth's (sweet teeth?).

I think those two (oh, and RT) will be floating along the rest of the week on a sugar high.

Are you suffering from a Belly Ache today from too much candy?