Back to the Lab, Again...

Experiment #1 in the Fantastic Spastic Kitchen aka Mad Spastic Laboratory:

All Natural Lotion Bars

Now, the Mad Spastic has a reputation to uphold. Known for nefarious deeds, smoky explosions, bubbling test tubes and the occasional rip in the time-space continuum; the Mad Spastic Laboratory has never been used for something as docile as health and beauty products. It took some persuading, but the Mad Spastic is nothing if not a REASONABLE diabolical fiend and with a small matter of bribery and a touch of blackmail, agreed to try her hand at the milquetoastey task of creating the perfect skin-moisturizing vehicle.

Grabbing her cauldron *ahem* double boiler she set to work, with the help of one equally diabolical and capable minion.

Diabolical, yes?

First came the eye of newt ... errrrr... beeswax. (4.75oz unbleached beeswax) Melt while stirring. The Mad Spastic heartily recommends using a crappy utensil that you won't mind throwing out later. Perhaps a popsicle stick or plutonium rod. On second thought, just go with the popsicle stick.

Next, the Mad Spastic performed many complex calibrations with highly measure-ey scale-type tools and exacted the precise amount of organic Shea Butter needed. Those of you with eyes in your head will see that it is also in the amount of 4.75 oz.

This also was added to the Cauldron of Death Mwahahahaha... *sigh* Fine. Double Boiler. The Mad Spastic laboured over the steamy mass with the Popsicle Stick of Infamy until all was melted and thoroughly combined.

Pulling together all her fiendish resources, the following ingredients were imparted to the now liquid mass. 5.5oz of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (from especially lady-like coconuts, the Mad Spastic presumes) of the 76 degree variety. And 20 drops each of Tea Tree Oil and Bergamot Essential Oil. The Mad Spastic heartily recommends standing far back from the Cauldron of Monstrosity whence adding the Tea Tree Oil if you wish to retain your inner nose tissues.

Having completed the arduous tasks involved in melting and stirring and melting and stirring and melting and stirring and... you get the picture... the Mad Spastic now brandished the Turkey Baster of Villainry (which is a far better fate than she has heard befalls SOME turkey basters) and transferred the liquid lotion mixture to the moulding containers -- in this case the Muffin Pans of Silicone and Evil. As with the stirring utensil, don't count on using this one for cooking purposes afterwards, unless you are prepared to work a small miracle in the cleaning department.

The Mad Spastic then sat for a few minutes while planning the overthrow of the world's cosmetics industry while the lotion cooled and set. In the end, the Mad Spastic was terrifically pleased with the outcome, even dastardly villians need soft, lovely skin.

Oh. Wow.

Awesome coffee. I'm not really a coffee snob sitting here in a black turtleneck, swirling the brew in a pre-heated ceramic cup while my nose delicately sniffs the bouquet... but I do know something good when it slams me over the head with it's nutty and sweet overtones. (and I seriously wouldn't have known how to describe it had I not read it on the package, but now that I have? Totally describes it perfectly.)

I found this little package of Ethical Bean Nicaraguan coffee at London Drugs and I'm sure you could, too. It's worth the extra few seconds grinding the beans, I promise. And, if you want to wear a black turtleneck, I won't tell anyone.

HO-LEEEEEE COW!!!

I gave Mr. F. my recipe for beef stew this summer. Previously, the boy's idea of cooking was melting CheezWhiz on a bun under the broiler. I didn't have high hopes that his stew-making skills would amount to much, but wished him the best.

Fast forward to tonight when I, for the first time ever, get to sit down to a Totally-Mr.F. - Prepared supper. See the look of surprise on my face?

And watch the surprise turn to elated disbelief when I see that nothing was burned, mangled, set on fire or wounded during the making of said stew.

And then see my eyes light up at the tasty, mouth watering aroma of the Totally-Mr.F.-Prepared supper.

I taste. Hmmmmmmm.

The dude makes good stew. And as hard as this is for me to admit, being that I take a little bit of pride in my kitchen skills... I think it was better than I've ever made it.

Ouch. I know.

But, the trade-off was worth it. Taking a small hit to my pride in exchange for MY MAN IN THE KITCHEN. Cooking. Stew. Really, really, really good stew. Now that's a deal I can stomach.