Today’s plans included creating new deodorant (with my new ingredients like propanediol) and lotions, making bread and snack bars, maybe some cookies, and dinner.
The deodorant had other plans for me.
I started the day with the lotions. The current lotion is lovely and protective and moisturizing, but I’ve begun to suspect the mister has a daisy family allergy (which includes *chamomile* and ragweed). Odd, light eczema rashes showing up where other causes are ruled out.
As an aside, allergy testing is available, but requires 3 trips to Edmonton (6 hours driving time plus the appointment) in one week. It’s on the to do some day. Some day.
Anyway: lotion making. I had a new oil to try out – rice bran oil, which is suitable for very sensitive skin and a good moisturizer and protectant. I also dug out my small supply of Allantoin, a skin care superhero that has the ability to help slough off dead skin, enhance and promote self healing in damaged and irritated skin, and rebuilds new skin cell, and tinkered with the lotion formula and ended up with this. Oh wait, that’s just the mess from pouring it into bottles. Someday if I ever make any money with the lotions, I’ll get a filling machine.
I kind of just let the mess fly when crafting for personal use!
Lotion bottles filled, mess cleaned up, I started on the deodorant. Version 1 of the propanediol deodorant a few weeks ago was a success, *except* that it was a little too soft and didn’t glide on perfectly.
Then…. ok…… deodorant formula with propanediol v.2 was instant trash LOL Insta-clump. Got a learning curve with this ingredient!
Moving on the v.3 – which was tossed and started twice due to my hands being giant jerks and dropping things. Ugh. The third time, it finally came together nicely, but unexpectedly, as it was super creamy coming out of the pot instead of a liquid, though it should still cool to a bar. I’ll know in a day or 2 and go from there.
By then it’s 3pm and my stomach says I better not make it miss dinner like I did lunch!
Orange chicken was on the menu but all the recipes I found online looked like a waste of time and ingredients. A cup of orange juice and tiny bit of zest? No, I want ORANGE chicken! :D
So I started throwing things in and it is super yum. You probably don’t know what my old soap, Sweet Orange Chili Pepper smelled like, but the house smells a lot like that soap! It’s super orangy, tangy-zesty, sweet, and spicy (which can be adjusted of course).
Make the sauce below, then cut into chunks, bread, and fry, chicken breasts (fancy recipe not needed for the chicken), and serve with rice and sauce.
Orange Chicken Sauce
- 1 can frozen (thawed) orange juice concentrate
- 2 tbsp cup orange marmalade
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp better than bouillon (beef)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp to 1 tbsp sriracha (start small and work up)
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 cup cold water
Mix the first 6 ingredients until bubbling. In a small bowl, add cornstarch, then water, stir well. Add to orange sauce, cook and stir until thick and bubbly, about 2 minutes.
Have a happy and healthy rest of your weekend <3 I am currently enjoying being off social media and the chaos that comes with it. Highly recommended! -Amy
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