Ideas, information, etc.

If anyone has more simple recipes they'd like to share, please email me @ lml118@hotmail.com. And if you know the Book Club's blog, please leave a comment here! Thanks.

Enrichment Night RECIPES!

Thanks for all who came to our enrichment night. It was fabulous to be pampered! I hope you continue to enjoy all the recipes demonstrated tonight. Here they are:

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Ingredients: (these can all be found on most laundry detergent aisles in your local grocery store!)
-Fels-Naptha Bar (full bar)
-Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (1 cup)
-Borax (1 cup) - 20 Mule Team
*Optional: add 1 tsp of essential oil (lemon, orange, lavender, etc.) during any mixing stage for scented detergent.
Directions:
Grate the whole bar of soap (or you can use a food processor).
Combine with 4 cups water in large pot.
Heat on medium for 15 minutes or until the bar of soap is completely melted, stirring occasionally. Do not overheat!

Add 1 cup of the Borax and 1 cup of the Arm & Hammer and heat until dissolved. About 5-10 minutes.

Pour your soap mixture into a 5 gallon bucket and add hot water at first (at least 4 cups) to keep your soap liquid, then adding cooler water toward the end until you are about 2 inches from the top.

Let sit for 24 hours, stirring every few hours to keep it well mixed. As it sits, it will become a thicker liquid.
Use between 1/2 to 1 cup per load, depending on how dirty the clothes are.

You can store it in smaller containers so it is easier to shake up (i.e. milk jugs, old laundry detergent bottles, etc.)

If you would like more detailed instructions, including pictures, please visit Lorraine's blog at
www.foodstorageclasses.blogspot.com

Karen's Chocolate Eclair Cake

--Lori Smith
1 box graham crackers
2 boxes instant French vanilla pudding (1 large box, 1 small box)
4 3/4 C. milk
8 oz. Cool Whip

Beat pudding with milk for 3 minutes. Add Cool Whip. Blend well. Line 9x13 inch cake pan with 1 layer of graham crackers. (You can leave most whole, but can break some to fit.) Cover with half of the pudding mixture. Place another layer of graham crackers on top of pudding. Cover with remaining pudding mixture. Place 1 more layer of graham crackers.

Top with the following - Topping:
1 sq. unsweetened chocolate
2 Tbsp. melted butter1
1/2 C. sifted powdered sugar
3 Tbsp. milk
2 Tbsp. light Karo syrup
1 tsp. vanilla

Melt chocolate with butter. Add remaining indredients. Beat until smooth. Spread on top of last layer of graham crackers. Best if left in refrigerator overnight. Enjoy!

Oatmeal Face Scrub

Blend raw oatmeal into lumpy flour.
Mix with water to make a paste.
Put on face. Let dry. Wash off.
Your face will feel great!

Simmering Potpourri

1/2 C. dried orange peel
1/2 C. dried lemon peel
1/2 C. broken cinnamon sticks
1/2 C. whole allspice
1/2 C. bay leaves, finely cut
1/4 C. whole cloves
1/4 C. anise seed
1/4 tsp. cinnamon, clove, or orange oil

In medium bowl combine all ingredients except oil. Mix well. Add oil. Stir to evenly distribute. Store in an airtight container. Simmer on stovetop (2-3 Tbsp. and 1 cup boiling water) or use in a potpourri burner. DO NOT EAT!

Hand Exfoliator

1 C. oil
1 C. salt
1 C. cornstarch

Mix ingredients together. Rub on hands. Rinse.

*If these ingredients are wrong please make a comment! I'm doing this from memory...and sometimes it's not the best. :)