Viva ORANGUTANS!!

So, in making soap you see many people talk about or are concerned with batching palm free soap.  I thought about it, experimented with some recipes and have come to the conclusion that I am PALM FREE!!!  For two reasons....One..I want to be able to get in my car and drive to buy my soaping ingredients and not have to order online and Two...(well this is the biggest and should be #1) help save the orangutans!  I read these horrible stories about massive deforestation, indigenous peoples being displaced and animals being left without food and know I do not want to be part of that!!  How could I?  I also know that my tee-tiny little soaping business won't even put a dent in stopping this seriousness from happening, but I can try to do my part and be better.  

Palm Oil is used in soap making for a hard bar and for a great lather.  I've made a few batches palm free and really see no difference.  Mine are hard...really hard! and lather quiet nicely.  I think I've hit on a perfect combination and will most likely use it with a few tweaks in my bars.

Now there is the flip side to this story...sadly there always is....what about the people who have palm plantations and provide much needed jobs.  They have families and have a need too.  There is much to consider when making your decision.  I've decided that my (like I said before tee-tiny) business won't really make that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things and to do what is easiest for me.....Palm free....since I don't know of a local supplier to drive to get it.  Sound unreasonable?  I think not.


   

Iced Soy Latte

The inspiration photo.....

In the mold...made with Soy Milk (1/2 water, 1/2 soy milk pour method), Sunflower Oil with a blend of others, cocoa, cinnamon and COFFEE!

Uncut loaf

First cut

The stack...+ my messy work space in the background :(

Lesson learned...more 'ICE' embeds in the next batch

Lavender Chamomile

This came out exactly as I envisioned...simplest of simple but with a gentle flair.  Smells divine just a subtle sweet scent.

Fresh Lavender buds from my garden sprinkled throughout for a middle layer

Uncut block

First cut

Lavender Chamomile!  Ready October 11

Next up.....I've got some creative ideas for a Halloween Soap and an Iced Soy Latte....what this space!  (I'm sure you will all be on the edge of your seats...I wish there was a font for sarcasm!)

Soap takes about 4-6 weeks to cure....

Soap needs to cure to become a better bar of soap.  It is completely safe to use within the first few days, but it might not last too long.  It is best to have it sit and cure for 4-6 weeks to harden the bar so you get the perfect lather.

Schedule of availability:
Coffee Lemon Balm Kitchen Soap, September 17, 2012
Gardener's Soap, October 3, 2012
Lemon Mint, October 3, 2012
Chocolate Blueberry, October 7, 2012
Green & Rooibos Tea, October 7, 2012
Flax Grapeseed, October 9, 2012

I'm working on an online shop, accepting payments of Paypal, so check back for all of the deets!

Flax Grapeseed

Hanger swirl method done with Grapeseed Oil as a super fat and added ground flax seed. 

Uncut block 

 First Cut

 Super Soap!!

 Preview of whats to come......

Lavender from my garden

Made my kitchen smell sooooo good!

Oops...Orange Blueberries

 I wanted to do an embed soap with some chocolate honey oatmeal scraps I had sitting around.  I contemplated making a swirl mixture with curry powder for some color but instead I went with a Naked Blueberry juice.  It turned orange!  HAHAHA  It still turned out the same way in my mind, but was a bit unexpected.  I think maybe if I used frozen blueberry juice it may have stayed its true color (who knows!)

The soap in the mold

The block ready to be cut...I like the swirls on the side!

 The soap...I don't know what to name it...any ideas?

Latest Batch....

I wasn't sure how the colors would come out with this one so I couldn't wait to cut into this batch.  I think it turned out pretty nice.  I thought the Green Tea would be a bit more green instead of brown but I'm happy with it.  I used the faux funnel pour method and didn't swirl just tapped out any air bubbles and let it alone.  The three colors are made by Green Tea, Red Rooibos Tea and a plain mix of water.

Un-cut Soap right out of the mold

First cut

You can see how different each piece is.  I love the colors so earthy...smells pretty darn good too!

I bring you pictures of SOAP!!

A bit about my soap....You often wonder my someone would go out of their way to purchase handcrafted soap.  Maybe they are allergic to synthetic scents and dyes or maybe they have a new baby and want something extra gentle or maybe they want just pure clean soap.  When I decided to make soap I knew it would be pure, all natural, handcrafted soap.  I use all natural ingredients (you can eat most of them! but please don't munch on the soap) no scents and no dyes.  I infuse oils to get natural scents and colors...the closest to nature as possible.  Nothing harmful or synthetic ever!  So enjoy the pictures.....thanks for taking a peek.  I'm working on having an online shop open soon so check back often for all of the details!

Lemon Mint Soap (made with infused mint oil)

Chocolate Honey Oatmeal Soap

Gardener's Soap (made with infused sage oil and cornmeal)

Rosemary Lemon Soap (made with infused rosemary oil)

Green Tea Eucalyptus Soap (made with eucalyptus infused oil)

Banana Soap

Calendula Soap

Kitchen Coffee Lemon Balm Soap

Just Pictures

Chocolate Honey Oatmeal Soap

Coffee Lemon Balm Kitchen Soap (used Lemon Balm from my garden)

Lemon Mint Soap (used Mint infused oil) + my new soap mold

Calendula Salve in the works

I decided to grow some calendula flowers this summer and I am so happy that I did.  What an amazing plant...not only is it pretty to look at, but super easy to grow from seeds and produces a ton of gorgeous yellow flowers.  I am very impressed with my twenty cent purchase.  Yep, I saw a packet of these seeds at my local big box store and thought what the heck, at that cost I've got nothing to lose.  My three year old son helped me plant the seeds this spring.  I never really have good results with seed starting so I wasn't  expecting much but it was simple and effective.

We live in the NE zone 6.  We planted the seeds in mid-May, the picture is taken in late June.  Today, August 8, after many days of either really high temps in the upper 90's or periods of downpours, the plant is still going strong and producing flowers.  Although it doesn't looks as green as the above picture.  I planted some seeds in a pot too and it is just now starting to flower. I'm not sure why there is a difference in the flower timing.  I've been picking and drying the flowers all summer long, but just last week I found mold in my huge dried flower container!  I was so upset that I had to toss it out.  I was planning on making a big batch of Calendula Salve.  Now, when I pick and dry the flowers I'm immediately adding them in a jar of oil to infuse.  I was originally going to wait until I had all of the summer's harvest to infuse, but I'm going to infuse as I go along so I don't have to worry about mold again.

It is a small amount but at least it is something.  I had enough dried flowers to fill that jar too!

The recipe I'll use is taken from this book.  Basically, you add 1/4 ounce of beeswax to every 2 tbsp. of infused oil.  Check back later this year to see how things turn out.  This will make an excellent salve for diaper rash, burns or any skin irritations.