Natural Soap Making, Why?

I have wanted to start my own business since I was still in high school, I just never found my “Niche”. This fits, and it fits better than I could have ever expected it to, so in my book that means it was hand picked for me. This is the biggest reason why I am starting with soap, oh yeah, and my husband is on board… I only struggle when I am fighting against him, this time, he’s here with me.
I love creating things, whether it be the perfect cup of coffee or food that I just love.  I love the research, the experimenting while making it and the reward in the finished product.  I am rarely dissatisfied even when an attempt was “what seems” to be a complete failure.  I love the knowledge I gain either way.
Soap is not the item I am addicted to, it is the process and art of how everyday items can come together to become something as beautiful and luxurious as the perfect lather.  There is so much more to soap other than the pretty bar that smells gorgeous in the store.  It can also be healing and change your perspective to the day just from the essential oils tickling your nose in the morning. 
I could go on and on but I will try to keep this short.  I have only touched the surface myself of what the craft of soap making holds for me.  I am challenged with the idea of making better soap with every batch I have made.  I look forward to making the perfect swirls and creating healing, beneficial recipes.  I can even safely do some of my projects with the kids, which is the greatest of all greats. 
I would love to keep a journal here to track my progress.  I can write about how I am making it work out for me, so others can possibly find inspiration as well.  How I am able (or not able, lol) to keep my family, household, and a business rolling.  I am a real person and want everyone who reads this to understand that I am by no means striving for perfection.  I am simply making the most from what I have, and I want to share it with you.

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs and I am not Talking Insects.

Well my 10 year old daughter was out of school all but one day last week with this wonderful stomach bug that is going around.  Now my 5 year old son has gotten it too.  What are we are we to do when no one can eat?  Well we waited until everyone got better last weekend before we made chili…  We even had to laugh at the thought of having a chili incident.  It would have been memorable, but not one that we would like to look back at, if you know what I mean.
Well we have stocked up on Ginger ale, and Lysol Disinfectant Spray.  The poor kids that are sick are quarantined and the rest of us can go on as normal for the most part.  My son is watching Jimmy Neutron on my Kindle Fire right now, he seems content.  I have to get going and make dinner for the rest of us.  I hope everyone is doing well.  Take Care!

How I Found My Niche

I started writing a blog a year ago for my family to keep up to date with my mother in the hospital. Last summer I started this blog to keep a journal about the activities I did with my children while they were out of school.  When the kids went back to school, I lost my purpose here.  During the fall and into the holiday season I started a blog about photography, and when the beautiful colors of fall vanished so did that blog too. 
I haven't lost my willingness to keep writing, I just cannot focus on one thing.  But then again I don’t know too many that can just stay focused on one thing for a long period of time.  I entitled this Blog “Alice’s Niche” because I was actually in search of my focus.  As most people who search for things they cannot find them.  But when they stop searching it finds them.  Ok… 
When my mother was sick last year, I had bought a Melt and Pour soap making kit to use with the kids.  It got put in a box and into storage because I just didn’t have the time to use it then.  After Christmas I was putting away the decorations and I came across that kit again.  I pulled it back out and waited till the kids had their winter recess in February.  We made a few soaps and were pleased with our craft!  We gave out a few of the extras that we had to family, who were pleased as well.  My father in law told me that I should start selling them, that they are really awesome.
Well needless to say I jumped in, grabbing all that I could to learn about soaping.  I have watched numerous YouTube videos, read a few soaping books, researched online and even started plotting a path to take to start a business.  I have been driving my family crazy with my non stop conversations on soaping.  I am ready to keep going.  I am bringing this up on here because I will be discussing that a lot on here in the future. 
Having no prior experience with making soap, I would like to share my side of how I came to enjoy and become a soaping addict.  I would also like to explain how I came up with my recipes, and why I chose to do this now.  I hope everyone enjoys my new posts and sticks around to follow my journey.  Take Care!

Eat, Pray, Love

Elizabeth Gilbert has an exceptional gift of story telling.  I appreciate her attention to detail, and her down to earth style of writing.  I really was able to follow along easily, and visualize the places that she travelled to.  I loved her journey to Italy, India and Bali.  It was fun to see the world through someone else's experiences. 
I loved how she described Italy, its laid back ways and its beautiful language.  The people there seem to be so welcoming and free from the stresses we place on ourselves here in America.  As with any culture it is intriguing to hear about the everyday lifestyles of others, for me it is anyway.  I loved how free Elizabeth was to just be able to experience different parts of Italy as well.  Quite unrealistic for most peoples lives, but who am I to judge.
I loved how when she went to India she talked about the soulful experience of transcendental yoga.  This has always fascinated me and her description of her struggle with her meditation assignments everyday really made since to me.  This part of the book was beautiful and delicate, and she really bares her “soul” here and shows her vulnerability.
In Bali she is there to learn from a wise man that she had met prior to this trip.  His simple approach to Elizabeth’s questions, really shows how life is a lot less complicated than what we make of it.  I can’t imagine how going to a country that seems to have so little, but is blessed with great beauty at every turn wouldn’t leave a big impression on anyone.
I loved Elizabeth’s journey, but that isn’t my entire opinion.  It is hard to say this because I know Elizabeth is a real person, and I don’t like being mean.  In my opinion, I show no admiration towards people who just walk away from a marriage, because they are unhappy with their lives.  That is completely disrespectful and selfish.  I understand that people can become unhappy, but I am appalled by the way she left her husband. 
Her journey seems lovely and beautiful, but in truth it was a way to run away from her “real issues”.  Granted she had to face them while on her journey, but what about her ex husband?  He didn’t really get a vote in how his life ended up, I am not blinded by this fact.  It was a beautiful, dream vacation of soul searching that anyone would be blessed to experience, but I don’t think it drew the author out of her self absorbed state long enough to accomplish anything good.  Trust me!  Read her next book…

Technorati Tags: Elizabeth Gilbert,Eat Pray Love,Italy,Indonesia,India,Italian,Yoga,Divorce,American,Writer,Book Review

Recipes: Slow Cooker-Beer Chili

When I was pregnant for my son I was working full time.  One of the restaurants in town served this amazing beer chili.  I honestly would go there everyday for lunch and order it. MMMM!
This recipe is one that I found to recreate (our way), the beer chili I craved so much! 
Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1lb. ground pork or turkey
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 tsp. garlic, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 large potato, peeled and chopped
• 1 can (28 oz.) diced tomato's, undrained
• 1 can (15 oz.) chili beans in sauce, undrained
• 1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1 bottle of your favorite beer

Instructions:

1. Brown meat in large skillet with onion, garlic, and bell pepper 8-10 minutes.
2. While browning meat mixture, add all other ingredients to 4-5 quart slow cooker. 
3. When meat mixture is browned thoroughly, drain and add to slow cooker.
4. Cover:  Let cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or high 4 to 5 hours.

I love to make this when we are super busy, so it will be ready when we get home.  I whip up an easy corn bread to go along side it and dinner is done.   MMMMM!  Wonderful treat on cool fall days.  Another thing you could add would be jalapenos, depending on how much spicy heat you can handle.  Hope you get to try this it truly is wonderful.

del.icio.us Tags: Beer,Chili,Craving,Fall,Slow Cooker,Quick,Easy