SpiderFarmer

So, I’ve been working on teaching myself how to bake different artisan breads without using any machines or complicated tools (other than the oven, naturally) …but today for a picnic, I just wanted some plain French baguettes. Which are so yummy.

I figured as long as I was making them, I’d do an instructable on them.

So, in case anyone else is carb starved and must have easy to make bread, I give you:

How to make traditional baguettes by hand.

Here’s a slideshow of how to do it from my flickr stream.

I’ve just posted a new Instructables: Chocolate Bath Melts – The chocolate that’s good for your thighs.

So, if you’ve ever wanted to make your own decadent chocolate bath melts, here’s step by step directions on how to do it!

ZOMG! My Bath Bombs instructable came in 22 out of 14,000 to go in the The Best of Instructables Volume I.

Thanks everyone who voted!

There’s been chatter about the health hazards of fabric softeners and fabric sheets. People with delicate skin or allergies are often impacted by these products being used by people around them. Also, they cost a silly amount of money for some petroleum byproducts and perfume in a big ol plastic jug.

Especially since you can make your own for pennies.

Phase One:
1 part Baking Soda
2 parts Hot Water

Phase Two:
1 part Vinegar
Essential oils to scent preference. I recommend 1/2 tsp per gallon or less. Lavender is great, grapefruit, lime, lemon, and lemongrass are my faves currently.

Procedure:

Use a container that is double the size of the ingredients. Put it in the sink or tub in case of spillover.
Mix the baking soda and water, stir till the powder is dissolved (mostly dissolved, you’ll likely have some grains left).

Add the vinegar. Remember that baking soda and vinegar react by fizzing, (remember all those volcanoes in elementary school?), hence the recommendation of a large container.

Once it’s stopped fizzing, pour into clean jars and close. Shake jar before use. Use by adding 1/4 – 1/2 cup in the rinse cycle.

So, I’m sourcing some ingredients, which means I get to play mad scientist. It’s one of my favorite things to do, doncha know.

There’s been a lot of buzz about in the industry about Argania Spinosa Kernel Extract and Cecropia Obtusa Bark Extract. Argania is derived from the kernel of the fruit of the Argan tree, Argania spinosa, and native to southern Morocco. It tightens skin immediately and obviously. Cecropia has been shown in studies to reduce cellulite and tighten skin.

The supplies of these materials are limited, as they come from protected species, and all harvesting must be done sustainably and under strict control. The ingredients I’m using in the formula test come from Laboratoires Serobiologiques, via Cognis

I decided to make a mango eye butter.
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