Creative ideas, recipes, ways of living and bath and body products that are pure bliss
Yeah, I know, I have been MIA again, but I thought you might like to hop over to DIY Life and read my latest post about creating blends with essential oils just for valentine’s Day. There are recipes for scenting the room and for scenting body oil.
And check back every week, as I’ll be writing the column “The Scentual Life” every Tuesday. Enjoy!
Yep, I know, a big lapse in posts . . .
But with a good excuse! Head over to That’s Fit to see all the posts I have been writing for that site.
You’ll find original and internet recipes in my feature, You Are What You Eat, and you’ll learn about how to fit in fitness when caring for a toddler in my feature Working in the Workouts. There are other posts too; from Fitkus to informative articles, I am sure you’ll enjoy what I have been writing.
Visit today!
Lack of modesty aside, I am completely smitten with my Whipped Body Creme. According to sales, and comments, so are you (thanks, by the way!)! But I have to say I am just a bit frustrated with my growing pains of this product. Why? Because every time I make a batch I swear I am going to set aside one for myself, and it always sells before I get a chance to use it . . .
Why dos this frustrate me (in a tongue-in-cheek way)? I am truly, deeply thrilled that you all love this product as much as I do, but I am literally scraping the beaters of my mixer in order to get any to use for myself! Now how is that for a very funny visual?
So today I am making another batch, a HUGE batch, and bringing my tin of Whipped Body Creme upstairs right away, digging in, and slathering it all over my body. Then I can’t sell it, and you all will just have to wait a day for the next batch if this one sells out fast too! 
Oh, just an aside here, get it while it is still on sale, because it won’t be for long . . .
This is a tough one for me to share because I have honestly never measured, but we should all make things to our own tastes, anyway, right? I will approximate what I do and you can add, subtract, alter in any way you wish. If you have an innovative change, please comment; I’d love to hear about it!
2 TB cider vinegar (the raw, unfiltered, organic stuff)
1 TB balsamic vinegar
2.5 TB extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. maple syrup (grade B, full of flavor and nutrition)
1 tsp. stoneground or dijon mustard (I love the Westbrae Farms organic ones)
1/4 tsp. onion powder
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Whisk and serve!
I love this dressing on a mixed greens salad (arugala!) with slivered almonds, dried cranberries and a little crumbled gorgonzola.
Enjoy!
May my divergent thinker never change! Granted, it would probably drive some parents nuts that Owen cannot ever play with any toy as it is intended, but it thrills me to no end. I love his clever imagination and the inventive ways he comes up with to use his toys.
Today he took the polar bear from the Little People Zoo and decided that he should ride a school bus. Well, since we don’t have a school bus, I was wondering where he was going to go with this one. He retrieved his giant shape puzzle, removed the yellow rectangle and informed me that he does have a school bus. So, not only did the polar ride the puzzle school bus, he also flew the kite, played football, wrapped a present and ate pizza! Oh, then that playful polar bear frolicked with the kitty from another puzzle. Those polar bears sure get around . . .
And someday, Owen may just care about learning his letters and numbers. Until then, I am content and quite honestly, awe-stricken, to let his amazing mind expand and develop through his self-directed play.
Owen was counting money as he put it into his fishy bank today. “One, two, three . . . ” I asked him what came after three, and he replied, “A lot!”
I cut three batches of soap yesterday. It never ceases to amaze me how the scent is released when the soap is cut. Why? I don’t know, because it makes perfect sense that cutting through the soap and exposing the inside will release the aromatic vapors right where I want ‘em . . . under my nose! But what I think is going to be a chore (it is the creative process of making the soap that I enjoy more) always ends up to be an experience. A sensual experience, as I get to feel the texture of the slightly soft soaps on my fingertips. A little workout, as I push down on my cutter using my whole upper body. An aromatic storm, as the scents surround me, transporting me to somewhere calm, or maybe rejuvenating me for the rest of the day, depending on the batch I am cutting. When I am done cutting my soap, I feel satisfied on so many levels, having not only enjoyed the experience, but also knowing that I am one step closer to using a new soap.
Just a quick post to let you know that if you place an order of 25.00 or more, you’ll receive free shipping for the months of February and March. So what are you waiting for? Stock up on soaps, body butters and anything else you’ve just got to have . . . now’s the time!
I have been neglecting sharing homemade body care recipes with you, I suppose since I am in eating mode this winter and have just been posting food recipes! Here’s a super-easy one that your skin and senses will adore . . .
After Bath Yum
- 1/4 c. virgin coconut oil (get this at a health food store, natural foods section of your supermarket or online)
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 3 drops rose geranium essential oil
- 2 drops patchouli essential oil
- 3 drops sweet orange essential oil
You can melt the VCO a bit if you find it easier to mix in the essential oils; otherwise, just blend and use! A little goes a long way, and slathering it on while your skin is still wet after a bath or shower is so perfect for retaining hydration.
OK, if I knew the answer to this one, I’d be a much more effective business owner! But sometimes, that is what I feel like I am doing. Between a snotty-nosed toddler (and I mean literal boogers, not a bad attitude), keeping up the house, meals, errands, etc. and just trying to get some sleep, you’d think I was crazy to try to keep Debra’s Rhapsody up and running.
I suppose it is the passion for the scents that keeps me going, and knowing I have loyal customers waiting for the next batch of soap, wondering what I will dream up next and when their favorite soap will be reappearing once again.
Or maybe it is having the escape from all of the other stuff that motivates me to keep plodding on with DR . . . I mean, it is a delightful escape, to be elbow-deep in fair trade, unrefined shea butter, nostril deep in Rose Otto, French high-altitude lavender or divinely deep vetiver on any given day. Sure beats a day at the office . . .
I created this dish a while ago, but I made it again last night and realized that I had to post it here for you all to enjoy. It is a favorite in our house, even Owen loves it!
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced
1 large zucchini, thinly sliced
1 red pepper, julienned
1 lb. crabmeat
fresh parsley
1 lb. penne (I use brown rice pasta)
1/3 c. lemon juice (maybe a little more?)
1/3 c. extra virgin olive oil (maybe a little more?)
1 tsp. Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute (or Mrs. Dash or any no-salt seasoning blend) or to taste
Saute first 4 ingredients in a deep skillet. Leave a good long time for this (maybe 1/2 hr?), as doing it slowly over low heat (med-low) until browned will slightly caramelize the veggies.
Meanwhile, cook pasta and prepare dressing.
When veggies are done, add crabmeat and parsley and heat through. Remove from heat and add dressing. Toss and serve.
I hate to sound cliche, but there is a howling wind out there today. Brrrr! I don’t know about you, but I am lazy about wearing mittens and wind like this dries my hands out something fierce.
When the weather is cold and windy, no ordinary lotion will do. My hands need a thick, rich body butter to protect them from the elements. The thickness of the butter helps it stay on better and since it is all butters and oils, it really nourished that skin. And if you put it on while your hands are wet, the butter will really help hold in the moisture.
What’s my favorite butter right now? Well, I suppose since Sandalwood Vanilla is the one I carry in my bag and slather on throughout the day, I’d have to go with that. It crept its way into my bag for a reason!
The newest, latest and greatest lip balm creation . . . just in time for Valentine’s Day!
Chocolate Rose Lip Lush is smooth, moisturizing, protecting and wonderfully lush on your lips. But the flavor is even more lush . . . raw cocoa butter as yummy as the darkest Dagoba chocolate bar, rose otto for the sweet and unique, and vanilla to smooth it all together.
I think this is my favorite one yet . . .
Since I use all natural products on my skin, in my house, on my kid, it seemed counterintuitive to head down to CVS to grab the latest color of blush, packed full of chemicals and preservatives that are potentially toxic.
I searched long and hard and found a mineral foundation that is the most natural I could find, and also one of the most affordable. Aromaleigh cosmetics are just wonderful! I use the Voile powder foundation and the Pure Blush in Rosewood, the perfect healthy glow.
They have lots of information to help you understand what is different about mineral makeup and also to help you make good color choices. And when in doubt, order the sample sizes and try them out. I did, and it was worth it, and the samples do last quite a while, too.
Just a word of caution, though, that left me VERY disappointed . . . their beautiful lipstick colors contain parabens. When a classy, woman-owned company successfully makes amazing, all-natural mineral makeup, I don’t understand how parabens, a preservative the FDA will tell you is safe, but has many health hazards, including being a possible carcinogen, can end up in one of the other products. There are a lot of companies that have natural lipstick, so I don’t know why Aromaleigh feels they cannot. Honeybee Gardens, Beauty Wise and Real Purity are just a few that make gorgeous, affordable, all-natural lipsticks.
Just wanted to throw this fun article your way. If you are a House fan like I am, you’ll enjoy reading the interview with Hugh Laurie, the infamous Dr. House himself — or at least the actor that plays him.
Interesting facts? His real-life dad is a doctor, he finds it difficult to “do” an American accent (he’s British) and he loves motorcycles, like his character.
What put me off? He doesn’t believe in Chinese medicine, herbs or alternative medicine. Bah-humbug!
Quinoa is one of my favorite grains — it is wheat free, chock full of protein and has a unique flavor all its own. It is so versatile it can be prepared as a breakfast porridge or made into a yummy side dish, like I did last night.
All hail to Trader Joe’s for their bountiful selection of organic frozen produce. I keep a variety in my freezer at all times, and it sure came in handy last night!
1.5 c. dry quinoa
1 bag frozen organic spinach
1 bag frozen organic peas
1 large onion, chopped
1 large handful of fresh basil, sage, or parsley or a combination of them all, chopped
dressing
- 1/3 c. lemon juice
- 1/4 c. olive oil
Whisk together.
Prepare quinoa by cooking in 3 c. water; boil, cover and simmer until water is soaked up.
Meanwhile, saute onion in a little olive oil, and when translucent, add peas and spinach. When everything is heated through, add cooked quinoa, herbs and dressing. Serve hot, room temperature or chill before serving.
How good would this be with any number of additions — green beans, artichoke hearts, zucchini . . .
Owen went to Gymboree with my Mum and I sequestered myself in the basement for a 4-batch soaping session today. I can’t wait until these batches are cured, so I can use them, but I guess I’ll cut and wrap them, so you all can try them too! 
Lavender Grove is a blend of lavenders (French and Bulgarian), citruses and woods and evergreens — and a few of my little secrets. The resulting scent is hard to describe, but my “give me anything with lavender in it” customers will be lining up for this one. I’m looking forward to seeing how this scent develops and morphs as the soap cures. Will the woodsy scents stand out more? Or will the evergreen take over? Or will the lavender prevail? No matter which scent wins, it will be a lovely soap, with a peaceful, happy scent and just enough texture from the ground flaxseeds and lavender bud powder speckled throughout.
Verve is a new lemongrass based soap, something most of my customers love. I always try to balance the pungent scent of lemongrass with essential oils that tame it and round it out a bit. This time, vanilla, rosewood, sweet orange, and some woodsy and spicy essential oils were my choices. This will be a great wake up soap, and with streaks of lemon peel powder and calendula powder throughout, it will be toning and healing to the skin.
Shameless is the soap I am looking forward to the most. The scent of the orange blossom, patchouli, ylang, citruses and little secrets still lingers in my nose. Why Shameless? It is a bold blend that could be loved by two types of people — those that appreciate scent as a way of self-expession, and those that become just a little bolder when wearing this scent, in spite of themselves. And I have to say, I am quite proud of my swirls in this batch. I admit, oftentimes my swirls are really glorified streaks or even plops, but the swirls of Moroccan red clay turned out just gorgeous, or I am almost sure they did and I will know when I unmold and cut later this week!
Here’s today’s masterpiece — I actually haven’t decided on a name yet! It was going to be Citrus Rose, but that boring ol’ name doesn’t live up to the beauty of this soap, so now I am thinking about A Half-Dozen Roses Soap, or Rose Six Ways Soap, or something to that effect. I used 2 kinds of rose floral wax and rosewood to scent this soap (with a complex blend of citruses, vanilla and ylang), used rose hydrosol as part of the liquid, added a layer of soap that was colored with rose clay, and pressed red rosebuds and petals into the top of the soap. OK, maybe THIS is the soap I am most looking forward to . . .
I recently read a tip (which I would credit but I can’t remember where!) that you should always apply your moisturizer to wet skin. Not only does the moisturizer help lock in the hydration, but you also end up using less product.
This is something I have been doing — and advocating — for years. I strongly recommend the use of a hydrosol with your Custom Face Oil (often rose, but some skin types like lavender or neroli / orange blossom).
I also suggest smoothing on Body Oil after a shower, when you are still wet and hydrated.
And I love using Body Butter on wet hands, especially before bed, when I can put on cotton gloves and wake up with the most heavenly smooth skin imaginable.
Debra’s Rhapsodies Blog is back and better than ever! We have new categories, new things to write about and new products to tantalize your senses. Have you missed us? Keep reading and you won’t know how you ever lived without your daily dose of Debra’s Rhapsodies . . .
Too much? Maybe, but I am sure excited about Blogging again and I hope you’ll enjoy reading!
If you get sick of having fish the same way all the time, try this. It is easy and we have tested it on wild salmon and tilapia — great on both!
- equal parts lemon juice and flax seed oil
- capers to taste
Whisk lemon juice and flax oil until thick and yellow. Add capers. Pour over fish and serve.
The tilapia is good dipped in spelt flour and pan-fried. The salmon we like to broil.
Variations:
- Add mustard for a little more flavor.
- Add cider vinegar for extra zing.
- Add the fresh, chopped herb of your choosing.