Salt Water Taffy

Taffies evoke nostalgia and childhood memories. These chewy delights that are wrapped in wax paper are usually sold alongside candy canes, bonbons, and bubble gums. In particular, salt water taffy is an invention from Atlantic City, New Jersey reputedly by David Bradley whose candy shop was flooded by a major storm in 1883. Since then, it has become a staple souvenir of many coastal resort towns. Modern production is made up of corn syrup, butter, and glycerin. The pulling process, which involves stretching out the mixture, folding it over, and stretching it out again ensures chewiness and lightness to the candy.

Ingredients:
1 ½ cups brown sugar

½ cup corn syrup

3 tablespoons butter

½ cup water

1 ½ teaspoons salt

½ tablespoon glycerin

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

Vegetable oil

Procedure:

In a saucepan or iron kettle, put together brown sugar, corn, syrup, butter, and water. Bring ingredients to a boil while stirring occasionally. When mixture reaches 124.44°C, or until it forms a hard ball when tested in cold water, add glycerin and salt. Mix well and remove from heat. Pour onto a greased marble
slab and let it cool.

Pull taffy until it is light in color. Add vanilla while pulling. Pull out in round sticks the size of kisses. Lightly oil a pair of scissors. Cut it in pieces of ¾ inch in length. Roll up in waxed paper and twist ends.
 

References:
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,177,134176-246195,00.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_water_taffy

Lychee Craving – Nano Emulsion

Pollution and stress bog us down that they take a toll on our body. But for those of us who are always on the go, taking supplements is not a bad idea. After all, our skin needs vitamins as well to get that much needed boost. Here is a skin energizer from Cosmetics and Toiletries that contains lychee extracts.

Ingredients:                                         Percent Weight:

Phase A

Eumulgin VL 75 (lauryl glucoside,            4.00
polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate, 

glycerin)

Cetearyl alcohol                                    2.00

Ethylhexyl stearate                               4.00

Cegesoft VP (vegetable oil,                    2.00

hydrogenated vegetable
wax, Euphorbia cerifera wax)

Dicaprylyl carbonate                              2.00

Passion flower Passiflora incarnata)         1.00

seed oil

Cocoglycerides                                      2.00

Dimethicone                                         1.00

Sodium polyacrylate                               0.80

Cloisonné Super Rouge 450Z                   0.15

(mica and iron oxide)   

Timiron Sparkle 147 

(mica and titanium dioxide)                    0.15

Phase B

Distilled water                                      68.6/q.s.

Elestab 388 (propylene glycol,                 2.50

phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin,
methylparaben)       

Xanthan gum                                        0.20

Glycerin                                               4.00

Sodium stearoyl glutamate                     0.50

Phase C

Litchiderm LS 9704
(butylene glycol,Litchi chinensis              5.00
pericarp extract)               

Fragrance                                             0.10

Procedure:

Mix and heat ingredients of phases A and B separately at 75°C. Add B into A while stirring under low turbine until temperature drops to 60°C. Cool batch to room temperature while stirring gently. Add phase C ingredients at 40°C. Make sure that pH level is at 6.8 and viscosity is at 36,000 mPas before pouring into sterilized jars.

Reference: http://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/

Clear Shaving Jelly

Smooth, easy, manageable – this shaving gel from Dow has it all! Glycerin moisturizes the skin while witch hazel and panthenol heal razor nicks. Daily morning shave has never been this good!

Ingredients:                                            Percent Weight:

Phase A

Carbomer                                           1.00

Phase B

Distilled water                                   30.00

Phase C

Triethanolamine                                 1.50

Distilled water                                   10.50

Phase D

Cocamidopropyl betaine                      8.00

Polysorbate 20                                  1.00

DMDM hydantoin                                0.20

PEG-12 dimethicone                           0.50

Phase E

Vegetable glycerin                             43.00

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginia)          0.30

extract

D-panthenol                                       0.50

Phase F

Water                                                q.s.
Vegetable glycerin                               q.s.

Phase G

Dow Corning® 9509                             2.00

silicone elastomer
(vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer)

Phase H

Fragrance                                            q.s.

Solubilizer                                           q.s.

Procedure:

Mix carbomer with water while heating to approximately 50°C. Remove from heat and add all phase C ingredients. Mix well. Add phase D ingredients, mixing after each addition. Follow with phase E. Measure refraction index and adjust to 1.4039 with phase F. Add phase G. Check the clarity of the mixture. Mix phase H in another bowl before adding to the batch. Put in a centrifuge. Pour into plastic tubes.

Natural Glow Make-Up with SPF

This featured foundation recipe adapted from Kobo contains titanium dioxide for sun protection. An emollient silicon base, together with glycerin and propylene glycol, provide moisture and hydration. Aside from its great coverage, this foundation glides smoothly and lasts for long hours. Perfect for outdoor photo shoots!

Ingredients:                                                                Percent Weight:

Phase A

SF1202 (cyclopentasiloxane)                                         13.45

SF1528 (cyclopentasiloxane and PEG/                             5.00
PPG-20/15 dimethicone)

MSS-500W (silica)                                                       3.00

SS4230 (cyclopentasiloxane and                                    2.50
trimethylsiloxysilicate)

SF1555 (bis-phenylpropyl dimethicone)                           0.63


SFE839 (cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone/                  0.50
vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer)

Phase B

CM3K40t4 (cyclopentasiloxane,                                      24.00   
titanium dioxide,PEG-10 dimethicone,
alumina, and methicone)

BTD-401 (titanium dioxide and                                       6.00       
isopropyl titanium triisostearate)

BYO-I2 [iron oxide (C.I. 77492) and isopropyl                   0.60
titanium triisostearate]

BRO-I2 [iron oxide (C.I. 77491) and isopropyl                   0.10
titanium triisostearate]

BBO-I2 [iron oxide (C.I. 77499) and isopropyl                   0.04
titanium triisostearate]

Phase C

Distilled water                                                              28.56

Propylene glycol                                                            7.83

Vegetable Glycerin 96%                                                 1.25

Sodium chloride (table salt)                                            0.63

Optiphen™ Plus (phenoxyethanol, methylparaben,             0.60
butylparaben, ethylparaben, and
propylparaben)

Ethyl alcohol                                                                 5.00                    

Procedure:

Combine all ingredients of phase A in an explosion-proof mixer and beat thoroughly for five minutes. Add all ingredients of phase B and beat for another five minutes. In another container, mix all phase C ingredients using propeller agitation until smooth. Add phase C to the main tank and mix for five minutes. Add the alcohol and beat for another five minutes or until mixture is  smooth. Pour into plastic tubes.

via: kobo products

Whipped Body Scrub with Coffee

Grounds from your morning cup won’t definitely be put to waste with this body scrub, adapted from two recipes posted on the Web. Coffee even reputedly rids your body of cellulite when rubbed on fatty areas. What’s more, scrubbing won’t now be an abrasive affair, thanks to the addition of cocoa butter. With Dead Sea salt and brown sugar brimming with minerals, this scrub will definitely perk you up come bath time! You’ll leave out of the shower room feeling energized – and sexier!

Ingredients:                                             Amount:

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) butter,                ½ cup
grade A

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) oil             1/6 cup

Vegetable glycerin                                  1/6 cup

Vitamin E                                              1/8 tsp.

Cornstarch                                               1 tsp.

Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia)                          q.s.

essential oil
  

Optiphen™ Plus                                      1 tbsp.

Dead Sea salt                                         ½ cup

Brown sugar                                           ¼ cup

Coffee grounds, used                               ¼ cup

Procedure:

Place cocoa butter in a clean mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until creamy. If butter is too hard, soften slightly in the microwave oven for approximately 15 seconds, but do not melt. Then add jojoba oil in brief intervals while beating continuously in moderate speed. Do the same with glycerin. Follow with vitamin E, vanilla, cornstarch, and Optiphen™ Plus. Continue beating until smooth. Mix salt, sugar, and coffee grounds and disperse evenly. Pour into sterilized jars.

To use: After soaping, rub a small amount onto the skin and gently massage in circular motion until sugar and salt have melted. Focus on rough areas. Rinse off and pat dry with a towel.

Natural Flea and Insect Spray for Pets

Insect bites and scratches can cause occasional gripes for us humans but can annoy our four-legged counterparts as well. Show your pets some love with this plant-based bug repellant! Your canine (and feline) domestics will surely delight in this all-natural insect spray, very obnoxious to mites and ticks but very friendly for your pet’s skin. Its herbaceous scent will make you hug and smooch your furry companion more! This recipe by Voyageur Soap and Candle Company Ltd. (http://www.voyageursoapandcandle.com/Recipes_Resources_s/109.htm) contains potent ingredients like pennyroyal, citronella, and lemongrass that shoo away parasites. Aloe vera provides moisture while vegetable glycerin serves as humectant. Recipe yields 500 grams.

Ingredients:

                                               Weight (in %)          For 500 gm.

Pennyroyal decoction                       93%                   465 gm.

Polysorbate 20                                 2%                     10 gm.

Aloe Vera                                        1%                       5 gm.

Vegetable glycerin                            3%                     15 gm.

Germall preservative                       0.4%                       2 gm.

Benzoin essential oil                      0.12%                    0.5 gm./13 drops

 

Cedarwood essential oil                  0.12%                    0.5 gm./13 drops

Citronella essential oil                    0.12%                    0.5 gm./13 drops

Lemongrass essential oil                 0.12%                    0.5 gm./13 drops

Pine essential oil                           0.12%                    0.5 gm./13 drops

Method:

Stir all the ingredients well in a disinfected beaker until everything is blended. Pour into bottle mists.