RECIPE WED # 14: Rich Sour Cream Devil's Food Cake with Caramel-Chocolate Chips Trifle

Necessity is the mother of invention, right? So it goes with this tasty little ditty. 

I had made this cake for my chocoholic 4 year old daughter's birthday and because my blasted oven is so stinking hot ( I know buy an oven thermometer all ready will ya?) the outside edges were over baked before the center was cooked through. 

So I cut off the crunchy parts and we snacked or I should say CRUNCHED on them while I took the rich and delicious center and layered it with frosting making a trifle. Based on the dab of cake left in the bowl I would say it was a hit!

Teach Me Tuesday: Liquid African Soap Re-Formulated

OK, so I did try this once before with not so great results- we toughed it out nearly a year as I made about a gallon of this terrible, watery, slightly smelly, & mucky looking soap.  

I tried to convince myself and my family it was fine, 
but my daughter was afraid of using the "dirt soap". 
And my mom, who at the time came over 3 x's/week to help 
me with the kids as I recovered from major surgery,
started bringing her own soap over b/c 
she refused to use my "Murky Nile Dirt Soap" she so dubbed it....

I stubbornly held on until the last 8-16 ounces of my concoction was left. I became so grossed out by the smell, not putrid mind you, but "off smelling"- kinda metallic. I ended up using it to wash the tub and scrub the toilets...basically money down the drain...:-(


I still have 2 lbs left of the soap & after I used up all the store bought liquid soaps I had in reserve- I was determined to give this another shot. I researched all kinds of formulas and "tweaked" this one one to my preferences and understanding of formulating from my previous trials (Err..) errors and errors. 

WHAT I CHANGED FROM MY PREVIOUS ATTEMPT:

• DIDN'T dilute soap mixture with as much water as I had before
• ADDED Vegetable Glycerin to preserve it {I think that is what I omitted last time, probably the source of the "off smelling" concoction}
• ADDED Caster Oil: as it's a powerful humectant, meaning that it helps attract moisture to the skin plus it boosts the soap's lathery-"ness"
• ADDED Aloe Vera Gel for skin smoothing abilities
• DIDN'T add any tea {another probable cause for the "off-smell"}
• ADDED a small amount of melted extra virgin Coconut Oil: it adds more moisture to the skin and contains lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, which have antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, and antibacterial properties.

This makes a great hand soap and excellent body wash with a body poof it makes tons of lather, your skin feels amazing plus my razor just  

glided over my skin!

 

Was going to use tea tree EO but decided to use up another eo blend.

LIQUID SOAP FORMULA

1. 1 LB OF AFRICAN BLACK SOAP {could use a different natural handmade soap of choice about 2-4oz bars}
2. 6 C OF DISTILLED WATER
3. 3/4 C Vegetable GLYCERIN
4. 1/3-1/2 C Aloe Vera Gel
5. 1/4-1/3 C- Castor Oil
6. 3-5T Melted Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (EVCO)
7. Essential Oil/ Blend of choice{I choose *My Angles about 60 drops and 1/2 ounce from Birch Hill Happenings which is a much more affordable version of White Angelica Blend from a well known MLN. IT is one my FAVORITE scents!}
8. Carrier Oil {* *Rose Hip Oil. I purchase the majority of my supplies from Birch Hill Happenings, their prices, quality and customer service is really excellent}
9. ***Proper amount of Emulsifier{I choose Polysorbate 20, you basically use equal parts to essential oils}

 ----------------------------
2 Ways to go about this,  

• #1: Crumble soap and place in a large pan over a low heat and stir until melted completely. Will take about 30-45 minutes. Don't worry about the tiny black specks that might be left in pan, those are cocoa pods fragments. (This is what I did, I added 1/4 C raw honey to melt it for added humectant properties plus it is great for sensitive skin)
• #2: Pour the 6 C of distilled water over the soap you have crumbled and leave in a large 2 Gallon container with a large opening overnight.
• Allow Soap mixture to cool (about 20 minutes) IF you melt over the stove top - if you allowed to melt over night start at this point 

and add glycerin, aloe vera gel,  EVCO, & Castor oil, stir well to combine

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•  After soap has completely cooled mix essential of choice- be sure to mix with emulsifier of choice before you add it to any water mixture- Or you will waste your essential oil as it will lay on the top, remember oil & water don't mix, you need to add something to allow it to blend!!

• Pour into container of choice, this makes about 1/2 Gallon

This makes a WONDERFUL body wash, bubble bath, and hair cleanser too! I added some honey for added moisture and cleansing -  

I just used it as a body wash and cleansed my hair following a "homemade hair conditioner MISHAP" & this also makes an EXCELLENT SHAMPOO!!
...it was amazing!! 

This defiantly is a KEEPER recipe, try adding the honey!!

 

*From Birch Hill Happenings: "My Angels ™ Blend: sandalwoods, rosewood, bergamot fcf, geranium, myrrh, spruce, ylang ylang #3, ylang ylang extra, hyssop, melissa, rose otto, and rose absolute...this blend will help you have a wonderful sense of wholeness as your negative energies turn positive. This wonderful blend of mind enriching essential oils will give you a glow like that of the angels. A healthy 'halo' will surround you. You will feel more spiritual. My Angels ™ blend will strengthen and protect your very being. Sit back, and simply enjoy."

*I added Rose Hip Oil ONLY because it was at the end of it's shelf life, it only has about 6 months shelf life and I already had my facial serums and scar ointments made. So in lieu of  my expensive oil going bad I added it to my soap. IF you have the extra funds by all means add this oil it is a very effective oil for skin treatments. It is very rich in G.L.A. Gamma Linoleic Acid and Vitamin C- it is very healing and nourishing and would be helpful in healing winter dried hands.

**If adding Essential oils it is very important to add an emulsifier or the essential oil will lay on the top of any water mixture and not properly mix

Incredible Pumpkin-Butterscotch Cake w/Amazing Butterscotch Glaze

This is a super moist & dense cake with a homemade glaze that packs one flavorful punch! It is one of my father's favorite who adores butterscotch PLUS the kids LOVE IT too. 

The combo of butterscotch and pumpkin is an amazing taste sensation. And the pumpkin puree adds a moistness while the Butterscotch Glaze provides a depth & richness that gives this cake a little added something your family and dinner guests will LOVE!!

This time I made a the cake w/cream cheese icing to make it more "birthday'ish".

 

BUTTERSCOTCH-PUMPKIN CAKE
One box Yellow, White or Spice Cake mix {IF using spice CAKE mix OMIT THE SPICES BELOW!!}
1 t fresh grated nutmeg
1/2 t allspice
1/2 t dried ginger
1 t cinnamon
1 C Raw Pumpkin Puree (NOT PIE MIX)
1- 4 serving Box Butter Scotch Pudding mix
4 Eggs, whisked
1/4 C Extra Virgin Coconut oil + 1-2 T for greasing the pan
1 C filtered water
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1. Mix cake mix, pumpkin, eggs water, and oil. 
2. Add spice. Combine well.
3. GREASE PAN WELL WITH EV COCONUT OIL.
4. Pour into a bunt pan
5. Bake 250 degrees 65-80 min {My oven is an OLD gas oven, so I start checking at 65 min and sometimes it is done other times it takes 80 min}

Below is my Butterscotch Glaze recipe- the second is one I found online & was considering making when I am short on time:

Butterscotch Glaze:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
2-6 T heavy whipping cream{Can use half and half or whole milk}
1 cup powdered sugar
1 t PURE GOOD Vanilla extract or rum

In a sauce pan, combine butter, brown sugar and milk with a wooden spoonula. Bring to a full boil continuing to stir. Add sugar stirring, remove from heat and add vanilla or rum. Beat until smooth. Add enough cream/milk to make a good consistency for drizzling.

Keep warm'ish until cake is ready.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Quick & Easy Butterscotch Glaze:

• 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 C butterscotch chips & 1 t GOOD vanilla

Combine in a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the chips are melted and the mixture is smooth. Do not allow it to bubble. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla. Cool slightly before drizzling over a cake. 

If you want to make this ahead, it can be cooled and reheated in the microwave.
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After baking allow cake to cool 10-15 min. Run a sharp knife around edges and middle to loosen and flip cake onto a clean plate. Pour glaze over cake in artful manner.

I find it important to use the extra virgin coconut oil, nothing sticks when you use it.

Linked to Weekend Potluck

Teach Me Tuesdays: DIY Conditioners & Deep Conditioning Recipes

Why do we condition hair- have you ever thought why? Or did you just wash your hair twice with a bubbly shampoo like the label tells us, then are left with such a tangled mess, scoop a HUGE glob of conditioner smothering your hair hoping the results would be a shinny and manageable mane like the commercials show us?

Picture Credit

The natural oil our hair possesses and needs gets stripped in the process of removing daily dirt and grime-conditioners restore the PH balance in our hair to its optimal level of 5.6 on the acidic scale. 

 But with all types of synthetic chemicals- 

what are we sacrificing?

Though I am still struggling with the "No-Poo Method" of cleansing my hair, it is a tanglely mess, not shinny, dull looking and doesn't feel good- I am pressing forward with this

However, keep in mind I have underwent 5 major surgeries, been on life support for 9 days, then in the ICU for 13 days, have been admitted to the hospital for a total of 60 plus days ALL in the past 2 years. I am currently still recuperating from the last surgery that was 6 months ago & still wearing a wound vacuum. 

Soooooo needless to say my body is so stressed and I am loosing my hair by the handfuls, even with the best professional shampoo & conditioner I was not seeing the bouncy and shiny hair I was used to {With 20 years in the salon business I have access to the best available}... Right now, I am just trying to rid my body of as much chemicals and toxins as I can. 

I am going to hang in there and try this for a few more weeks/month(s), even if I am just detoxing. What I have found to work the best for me lately (As of 11/20/12) is: 

1. Cleanse with the "No Poo Method" of choice found here 
2. Use one of the PH balancing rinse formulas below.
3. If you need more detangling or smoothing- use the conditioner formula of choice below as often as needed.*(Mainly because of the hair loss and my body's response to all the chemicals & healing I have gone through. I am using the glycerine & rhassoul clay conditioners every time)

 Here are a few rinses I am trying:

1. Apple cider vinegar. Apply (I use a spray bottle to concentrate o

   

   Picture Credit

   n ends of hair) after shampooing, then rinse.
   
2. Coffee grounds. Massage into hair to exfoliate. Rinse thoroughly.
   
3. Lemon juice. Squeeze fresh lemon into jar, or boil and strain. Apply and rinse.

This site offers a short video discussing the pH-restoring benefits found in lemon juice, coffee grounds, and apple cider vinegar.

The following is more conditioning:

1. Glycerin conditioner: {I am trying this one because of the tangling issues}
   • 5 oz. herbal water (infuse nettle or lavender leaves in water—see our this link for an article for instructions) or use 5 oz. distilled water
   • 2 oz. glycerin
   • 1 oz. lemon juice
   Combine ingredients in glass jar and shake well. Apply 1/4 - 1/2 C. after shampooing. Rinse with warm water. Stores in refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
2. Coconut oil. Apply to dry hair and leave in until the next wash. Coconut oil helps reduce protein loss in hair. See this article for more information.
3. Olive oil/egg/essential oil blend. This recipe is a conditioning treatment- protein rich eggs strengthen hair and help prevent split ends and damage. You can do this weekly or as needed.
   • 2 tsp. olive oil (moisturizer)
   • 3/4 C water
   • 1 egg yolk (softener)
   • 3-4 drops of essential oils of choice (optional)
   Mix egg yolk until bright yellow in color and thick. Mix water with Olive Oil then add essential oils. {Tea Tree, Rosemary, & Sage help dandruff. Sandalwood, Lavender, & Patchouli have a soothe a dry scalp and have a masculine scent. Peppermint will invigorate the scalp and citrus will help oily hair.}  Combine ingredients and apply to hair. Leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse using w/cool water, too hot will cook egg on your hair. Some sites say use this before you cleanse hair some say after.
4. Avocado-Coconut Milk: Deep Conditioner For Dandruff & Frizz
   
   1 Avocado
   ½ can of (fat) Coconut Milk
   2 tbsp of Organic Coconut Oil
   2 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
   Optional extras:
   (1/3 cup of organic honey for extra dry hair)
   (1 lemon for hair loss)
   
   *Blend and apply in hair for 30 min to an hour 
5. Yogurt-Banana Deep Conditioner For Breakage-Prone Hair
   
   1 cup of plain whole-fat Yogurt
   1 Banana
   1 Egg
   2 tbsp of Jamaican Black Castor Oil
   
   *Blend and apply in hair for 30 min to an hour
6. Hot Oil Deep Treatment For Dry Hair
   
   1 cup of Water (Bring to a boil)
   2 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
   2 tbsp of Jojoba Oil
   2 tbsp of Jamaican Black Castor Oil
   10 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
   
   *Stir oils in water until warm. Massage mixture onto hair and scalp. Rinse after 30 min 
   
5. Rhassoul clay. This clay can also be used for deep conditioning of the hair. Feel free to adapt the following recipe to suit your unique hair needs. *This is the conditioner I am using, due to the condition of my hair, I am using this nearly every time I cleanse my hair-which is about every 4-6 days 

• 1/2 c. rhassoul clay
• 1/2 c. warm coconut milk {Don't keep on hand use warm water &  enough dry milk powder to make 1/2 C} 
• 1/4 c. rose water or herbal water (make your own infusion by pouring 2 c. boiling water over 2 tbsp. organic herbs or flower petals. Allow to steep for 30 minutes and strain.)
• 1/4 c. distilled water (double this amount if no herbal or rose water is used)
• 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil
• Tad of Honey

Mix all ingredients except oil. Once you have a paste, stir in the oil. You may add a tad of honey at this point for added conditioning treatment. Apply to hair and allow to sit with a warm, moist towel or plastic hair cap for 1 hour. Rinse and style as usual. 

I keep this in a glass jar in the fridge and will bring to room temp before I use & will place in a pan of hot water to gently heat.
 
Rhassoul clay is excellent for ethnic hair as well, as seen in this video.

Menu for February 26-March 3, 2012

Easy week this week... no appointments, no tests, no procedures-just need to play catch up with household chores, spend some time one on one time with kids, do some homeschooling review with Princess sister, and PT, OT, & ST w/mini-moose.

Some time savers this week will be using noodles or tortillas I made extra of with previous meals to accompany meals further down the week and doing some meal prep the night/day before...

                          Menu:

Sunday Feb 26:

• Breakfast: Toast, fruit slices and keifer smoothies
• Lunch: Remix homemade *Veggie Pizza and salad
• Supper:Light snack everyone still full from lunch: Cheese & Crackers w/ steamed veggies

* Veggie Pizza: Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Caramelized Onions, & Crimini Mushrooms sauteed in garlic infused extra virgin olive oil on Herbed Garlic Pizza Crust with homemade cultured Ranch Dressing as sauce.  Side salad: Greens w/ feta cheese, tomatoes, balsamic garlic infused evoo vinaigrette

Monday Feb 27:

• Breakfast: Cold Cereal w/fruit slices
• Lunch: Remixed Quinoa with tuna & steamed veggies and fresh pineapple spears
• Supper: Creamy Bacon Potato Soup using plain keifer in place of heavy cream, side salad, & Toasted Cheddar Cheese Sammy's with homemade Crusty Artisan Bread
• {B4 Bed time: Make Ahead: Soak Oatmeal for Baked Oatmeal, set up ingredients so next day's breakfast will go smother. Take Chicken out of freezer for Brown Sugar Chicken.}

Tuesday Feb 28:

• Breakfast: Baked Oatmeal Cake w/Peanut Butter Shakes
• Lunch: Remix Creamy Bacon Potato Soup- thaw some broccoli and add some cheddar cheese and homemade yogurt for a loaded baked potato soup
• {Right after breakfast or during mini-moose' nap make noodles for this dish and for later this week- set out to dry [FAR FROM SWIPER-Chica Puppy!!!], and get Chicken ready for supper}
• Supper: Brown Sugar Chicken W/fake out Lipton Chicken & Noodles and Roasted Asparagus. 
• Before Bed: Shred Zucchini and make Zucchini cakes, zest & juice lemons & limes that are starting to go bad and freeze zest along w/juice. Chop Nectarines that are on last leg and set up for Smoothie freezer packs. Thaw Yogurt Starter in Fridge.

Wed Feb 29:

• Breakfast:Poached Eggs on Whole Wheat bagels w/ Zuchinin Patties and Cheddar cheese.
• Midday: Start Yogurt
  
• Lunch: Brown Sugar Chicken Salad on Toasted Bagels and steamed veggie side
• Supper: Chicken Tortilla Soup W/homemade Tortilla strips and cornbread

Thursday March 1:

• Breakfast: Baked oatmeal squares fresh fruit and keifer smoothies
• Lunch: Chicken Tortilla Soup with cornbread
• Supper: HYU Supper (Hook Yourself Up) -mom's working late night :-)

Friday March 2:

• Breakfast: Pancakes with fruit cup
• Lunch:Potato soup with grilled cheese quesadillas
• Supper: Tuna Fish Casserole with remix noodles made from Fake Out Lipton Chicken & Noodles

Saturday March 3:

• Breakfast: Breakfast Burritos and Hashbrowns
• Lunch: Use up whatever soup is left over with grilled cheese sammies
• Supper: Spaghetti Bolognese with salad greens, Lemon Roasted Asparagus, and Crusty Herbed Italian bread with herbed garlic infused EVOO dipping oil

Wonderful Wednesday

What a wonderful Wednesday! Izak responded well to speech and occupational therapy, Kissi did her homeschooling well, we played eye spy games and reviewed colors and shapes, fun and she didn't know she was reviewing.

Made homemade yogurt that didn't quite have enough time to culture properly and warm enough temp to totally thicken hoped when I put in fridge to stop the fermenting process it would thicken, no dice, still good just not the right texture. But it is still gr8 tasting just too thin for yogurt and too thick for milk....what do you do? Certainly NOT throw awa-y I used 1/2 gallon of milk for that gamble....so I made smoothies, GREAT smoothies, cultured ranch dressing, tartar sauce, and cookie cereal parfaits (Hate feeding kids processed cereal, just ran out of money in food budget and was weak willed that day, told kids this was a "sometime" food and we wouldn't' be eating yucky cereal very often, sweetened with honey and vanilla for fruit dip.

For smoothies I melted some extra virgin coconut oil and had some beet, carrot, & pear puree in freezer a long with organic Blueberries, diced peaches and bananas YUMMY!! Izak guzzled it down in seconds flat as a matter of fact it is the same consistency of his "simply thick" with out all those chemicals but with the healthy acidophiles and other cultures so he drank some straight up in sippy and LOVED the smoothie I got the sign "MORE" "MILK" and "Drink" that is the most he has signed ever. Kissi-Cat didn't like be upstaged by lil' mini-me-moose so she signed, "Mommy" "Please" "Give" "Me' "more""Milk", Thank You"...LOL!!

We had lighted coated Flounder Filets, with homemade tartar sauce, sun burst cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes and cucumbers in a light evoo balsamic vinaigrette kids actually ate up, some grapes with sweetened yogurt dip and of course the smoothies.

For supper we had homemade chicken and mushroom white sauce with spaghetti and tomato cucumber salad and water essence. Made the bread from my master dough that I added 1 & 1/2 C ground flax seed to, YUMMY!! Had the cripsyy crunchy texture crust but not too much still have the sour dough taste with the nuttiness from the flax, LOVE this, but would be to much to do on reg basis, Kids loved with some grass fed ghee spread on it and Jim was half enthused about it, he perfers the basic master dough baked in the loaf pan with xtra virgin coconut oil, not much a fan of the crunch. Glad that gamble actually paid off...

Just saw the funniest you tube video- OMGoodness I laughed so hard I woke my hubby up, as I am drinking my whey lemonade out of my upcylced quart jelly jar!!!! I have said nearly all of that, and the last scene with the breast pump going in the public stall, I HAVE DONE at a sports bar, LOL!! I often wonder why they have outlets in restaurant bath rooms, but that time I utilized that bad boy. I can't imagine the stories the 3 ladies that came in to use the bathroom while I pumped where thinking when I said, "Sorry watch out for my cord" while they heard the pump going....so funny!!!

Sh*t Crunchy Mamas Say

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVA-A0RqkhM

Shipment Arrived!!

Rec'd my amazon package 2day, yay! Ordered case of Annie's ravioli & shells mac & cheese, 2-29 oz jar extra virgin coconut oil (None to soon just used last of canola yesterday), bulk yeast, zote laundry soap-14oz size(Enough for 10 loads), & industrial grade loaf pan- the ghee I ordered will be here.

Was very excited to taste the canned ravioli, organic, healthy packaged in a non-BPA can, uhmmm, yeah after I added few sprinkles of Parmesan cheese, s&p, & some brown sugar, it was palatable. Think the chef B taste I am used to was sugary and salty, not surprising, high fructose corn syrup must be super sweet, and a taste my palate is used to.

Think the shells & cheese will be the same way as well as the coconut oil, will have to get used to the slightly coconut flavor undertones. Just will have to retrain my palate. This whole healthy whole foods life is a lot of retraining ur brain, mouth feel, palate, and cooking techniques, as well as attitude towards why u r eating. Like r u eating just to fill ur belly up, or r u eating to live, choosing nutrient dense diet over empty fluff that only is based on taste and no direction.

Update: 

• Annie's Homegrown Shells & Cheese- Tasted gr8, we all really liked it needed no tweaking, WOULD ORDER AGAIN-ONLY IF PRICE IS RIGHT!
• Annie's Homegrown Cheese Raviolis- Uhmm, not so much, had to tweak adding more salt and pepper and sprinkle cheese from a can, and brown sugar..like my homemade version much better!!! Would I order again? Might if the price is right, nice to have something healthy on hand in case I "don't feel like making anything", or time is limited. MIGHT ORDER AGAIN, IF SUPER CHEAP
• Ghee, uhmm didn't like as much as I thought, would have rather bought a bigger size of EVCO than spent the extra money on this. WILL NEVER ORDER AGAIN!
• Loaf pan works awesome! Need to use Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (EVCO), it sticks with every other oil and butter I have tried. Plus it caramelizes the crust with this lovely taste, I even use it to pour on top of bread to keep it soft after I cut a slit at the top...YUMMY!! WOULD ORDER AGAIN IF NEEDED A SECOND PAN!
• Zote Laundry Soap-Not so sure yet, Did shred w/a little more effort than the Yardley's. Can't help but think this is going to be a better laundry soap bc Zote is designed to be a clothes washing soap and not a body soap. I haven't used a batch of the laundry soap I made yet. One gallon container is separated and the other is mixed, both are from same batch I made, even when shaken it barely combines. I bought a larger bar, so I have enough for 3 more batches, I hope this was worth it. I added extra baking soda to this batch bc I add some anyways as a stain fighter and brightener as well as 1/2 C of Salsuds for its extra cleaning abilities. Jim said he noticed some white streaks on his clothes and rewashed. Unsure if he used too much? Will wash a white load tomorrow, and see if this brightens better than my last batch. WILL HAVE TO USE A FEW MORE TIMES TO SEE IF WOULD ORDER AGAIN
• Red Star Yeast: nice to have such a large quantity on hand, if I don't start using my own sour dough starter will use this as a great resource and prolly will be on a subscribe and save program. WILL ORDER AGAIN
  

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, LOVE!!! - Have all ready ordered again, on subscribe and save program don't want to be without this product!! YES HAVE ORDERED AND WILL ORDER AGAIN!!

• The 2-29 oz option I used quicker than I thought as it's February 27, 2012 and we only have 1/2 bottle left. 
• I have used it for nearly all my cooking, will use my EVOO more, only use EVCO for times where I need higher temp cooking, baking, and skin care/personal care products. 
• This brand {Nutivo} tastes so much better than the brand I tasted years ago, it is so good I could eat it right out of the jar. Love how it makes popcorn taste, baked oatmeal taste, all baked goods actually, takes makeup off nicely, heals & cools burns nicely (ask me how I know!)-that being said makes a great healing salve...So I will order soon and reserve uses for as I stated above.