tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88548400613464097822024-03-19T11:10:52.445+01:00The Green touchAn eco-friendly life storyThe Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-70397214708380595932022-11-30T12:46:00.004+01:002022-11-30T12:46:50.373+01:00New blog! Join me on thegreentouch.net<p> Hi there,</p><p>If you stumbled upon this blog, welcome! Even though there are still great resources on here, you should know that this blog hasn't been updated since 2013.</p><p>I invite you to check out my new blog, <a href="https://thegreentouch.net/">thegreentouch.net</a>, about personal finances with an environmental twist. See you there!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdE3nVghckCApf3MXAm-aneREOWJaMO3s13TA6SttOlfhiTUYHbnFlKRn8PVy0MNuZneW6HCQc-qDmIEL-BGe6KM9RXjO54bOd9OGxGo0Oq5Aw2euKqc2grYsebj7sfaed1w9sM91OFtjbT5HFNiCZpPZ4dac-WaUEWatpcjXRmLpYdSOqFq_5vd0/s500/The%20Green%20Touch(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdE3nVghckCApf3MXAm-aneREOWJaMO3s13TA6SttOlfhiTUYHbnFlKRn8PVy0MNuZneW6HCQc-qDmIEL-BGe6KM9RXjO54bOd9OGxGo0Oq5Aw2euKqc2grYsebj7sfaed1w9sM91OFtjbT5HFNiCZpPZ4dac-WaUEWatpcjXRmLpYdSOqFq_5vd0/w200-h200/The%20Green%20Touch(1).png" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-23529852790702007272013-05-05T15:53:00.001+02:002013-05-05T15:53:34.738+02:00Peeling ingredients, all from the kitchen!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here is the list of the different peeling ingredients I may or may not have mentioned on the blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The great thing about it, you probably already have them in your kitchen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><b>Face peeling</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- thin salt in a little bit of oil (olive for example)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That's what I use, once a week :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKZKDnkGmrJflZbp1MhiuNNBATKHr4Mf4FOZLxqw4MpuF7hxhv1JwIX5kBkifuN1FhzhfoWO-U1eq3Upm53rwwkaxC0Q10yBLGsCCH8SxZbkhJ65WgYvkEsvG6RD6bjC973df1M5VFAE/s1600/SL707694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKZKDnkGmrJflZbp1MhiuNNBATKHr4Mf4FOZLxqw4MpuF7hxhv1JwIX5kBkifuN1FhzhfoWO-U1eq3Upm53rwwkaxC0Q10yBLGsCCH8SxZbkhJ65WgYvkEsvG6RD6bjC973df1M5VFAE/s200/SL707694.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- wheat bran. You can mix it with yoghurt but I guess it's just as fine in olive oil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I would especially recommend this for sensitive skins as it's extremely soft (a bit too soft for my taste though).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_Y-o2197sRIqD0txzbDNmU2pQOzbar1IGL2ACwGjxTW0pp0ATRLE45AeWfesyXJNTuz5tQK5LI2NM2ACPEu_ciaDEGzuMcN0BwEWx0F7MO8I2onKH-mN_WPg2-c26NpgCi_wuQKQOCM/s1600/SL708757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_Y-o2197sRIqD0txzbDNmU2pQOzbar1IGL2ACwGjxTW0pp0ATRLE45AeWfesyXJNTuz5tQK5LI2NM2ACPEu_ciaDEGzuMcN0BwEWx0F7MO8I2onKH-mN_WPg2-c26NpgCi_wuQKQOCM/s200/SL708757.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I bought the wrong type of flour so that was a good way to use the bran after sifting the flour.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- coffee grounds. Slightly more abrasive than thin salt but still ok </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><b>Body peeling</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- sugar! and honey and olive oil --> <a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.no/2013/02/body-peeling-honey-sugar-scrub.html" target="_blank">See honey sugar scrub here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FvnGb15hUUhPBAWAn5TmiSHBPg28pWRzHP9NXZpIprSYUAhayrPuLwTDK81lJ0ZMlomSrh_4A4J4zIMpWO7W7wc2NNkg9talFLd_sFJ-saSodB05NaePBkUTt24zNclie7-8l7kRK2E/s1600/SL708557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FvnGb15hUUhPBAWAn5TmiSHBPg28pWRzHP9NXZpIprSYUAhayrPuLwTDK81lJ0ZMlomSrh_4A4J4zIMpWO7W7wc2NNkg9talFLd_sFJ-saSodB05NaePBkUTt24zNclie7-8l7kRK2E/s200/SL708557.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- coffee grounds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><b>Hair</b></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjana2c68lrdzZC213MmmJ_OiVoBmG0jgYB7NVSplYAxhGZ4c-HX1zFjijdBmE81x2U6GGRhbv2jPJ513S9lOKalJZzU_YmTt7TxQDMgMSmoI_8k2DweRIActv0qC3dcz_xwjIy2qcpDw/s1600/SL708683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjana2c68lrdzZC213MmmJ_OiVoBmG0jgYB7NVSplYAxhGZ4c-HX1zFjijdBmE81x2U6GGRhbv2jPJ513S9lOKalJZzU_YmTt7TxQDMgMSmoI_8k2DweRIActv0qC3dcz_xwjIy2qcpDw/s200/SL708683.JPG" width="200" /></a>Yes, hair, or more precisely, scalp scrub. From what I read, it helps you get rid of dead skin cell and stimulates circulation and hair growth. You can choose any of the ingredients above depending on how sensitive you are. I have psoriasis so I am: I went for coffee grounds mixed with creme fraiche, once every three weeks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-45716458601405752132013-05-02T12:36:00.000+02:002013-05-02T12:39:43.152+02:00Homemade yoghurt, easy and cheap!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6G35Je4EkOIs-WN0RBXAK0Gi8i9EZYr2MgUWIRxyXL4DjGFLCwZAdnJaQG67BVpPD98D6oezgpqhWFUUznjxaPvLxIF51EKgDNCu4phkAnm5ru8tSVCH28fmbRhyphenhyphenug2Ca-0YpfwrKZKs/s1600/SL708589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6G35Je4EkOIs-WN0RBXAK0Gi8i9EZYr2MgUWIRxyXL4DjGFLCwZAdnJaQG67BVpPD98D6oezgpqhWFUUznjxaPvLxIF51EKgDNCu4phkAnm5ru8tSVCH28fmbRhyphenhyphenug2Ca-0YpfwrKZKs/s200/SL708589.JPG" width="200" /></a>Yoghurt is another of the dishes I started to make to reduce my own waste.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As I like to have dessert after a meal, I was actually collecting more than enough yoghurt pots to make homemade soap ;) (if you don't understand this joke, see <a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.no/2012/05/why-and-how-to-make-your-own-soap.html" target="_blank">"how to make soap" articles</a>).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Making yoghurt is quite simple and cheap.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You don't even need a yoghurt-machine, you can use an oven.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Regarding the ingredients, just milk, and a yoghurt that will ferment the milk and transform it into yoghurt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And also anything else to flavor it (honey and jam for example).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Quality is important here, both for the milk and the yoghurt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><b>Milk</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Choose full-cream milk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It doesn't need to be cow milk; it can be any other animal milk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Vegetal milk too. I tried with soya milk (Go green, I haven't tried with Alpro) and it works, but I hear that with other vegetal milk you need thickeners.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><b>Yoghurt as a "starter"</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">First you will need to buy a yoghurt, and then you can reuse one of yours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A cow-milk yoghurt can be reused about 6 times before the ferments stop working.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A soya-milk yoghurt can be reused up to 15 times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The thicker a start yoghurt is, the thicker yours will be as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A solution to get a thicker yoghurt is to filter it: use a cloth in a strainer and most of the water will go away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I've had good results with Greek yoghurt, as well as Yoplait and Tine yoghurts (but not as firm as what I'm used to in France though).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Regarding soya yoghurt, I failed several times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It never worked with alpro yoghurt, and it worked once out of twice with Soyesse (found at Coop Obs).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It actually worked with the plain version, and not with the strawberry-flavored yoghurt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It could be the list of ingredients is different. It could also be something else failed in the process.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A good way to check a soya yoghurt is usable as a starter is to make two batches at the same time, one with a cow-milk yoghurt, especially one you have used before and you know works.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yes, cause you can mix soya milk and cow-milk yoghurt. I got a pretty good result with Greek yoghurt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">***</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now, enough with the introduction, here comes the <b>recipe </b>and the <b><i>modus operandi</i></b> :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You need about 100 grams yoghurt for 1 Liter milk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then it's all about temperature.</span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Heat the milk. It has to be at a temperature of about 50° C, not more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you don't have a thermometer, here is a tips: boil half of the milk and then mix it with the other - cold - half.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwd1cvNkwWEVTqEHQJ5hXr_64OILy8j4ME7_n_zXQM5A6pJmFVGB0eH1_AMOpuXLu2ONuJLkDSbhFp_PtfuTfXGj0AykE6nC83juEqLyAZ1PvEri7nd0lqyGX3JTsqJPX7Eoe5Pp4ixc/s1600/SL708615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwd1cvNkwWEVTqEHQJ5hXr_64OILy8j4ME7_n_zXQM5A6pJmFVGB0eH1_AMOpuXLu2ONuJLkDSbhFp_PtfuTfXGj0AykE6nC83juEqLyAZ1PvEri7nd0lqyGX3JTsqJPX7Eoe5Pp4ixc/s200/SL708615.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacr_ChWdkSvlWb1C9I5w1Po64ZyrrfRQuyMILaIQOcM_MSf3Iml4lLi-n9vCb1nmxlYswNWFxx6n385g0xIuWYo_JgUFnTj_ACcr1N7J9OuUXEGMHhIkPvg1ju7QIbYxfIDbCFTeUkw8/s1600/SL708585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacr_ChWdkSvlWb1C9I5w1Po64ZyrrfRQuyMILaIQOcM_MSf3Iml4lLi-n9vCb1nmxlYswNWFxx6n385g0xIuWYo_JgUFnTj_ACcr1N7J9OuUXEGMHhIkPvg1ju7QIbYxfIDbCFTeUkw8/s200/SL708585.JPG" width="200" /> </a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If it's the right temperature you should be able to dip your little finger for about ten seconds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If so, take it off the stove and pour the yoghurt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Another tips: with a thin layer of water in the pan will prevent the milk from sticking to it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mix well and pour in glass jars. I think it works as well if you just put the same quantity in small jars same size and then pour the milk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsbyPZHLV9Wk1m7I8f62yRsMpQlvwerKc1KmwA377zvU_LHgNDtmmKb3nmha_9m72YmGg4IKFD_tBMC3c9HYibeV8zck4ngsr7Yazm2di_tffSKA8GchVSzasA2gcDi9ZsJfMzFltgcs/s1600/SL708620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsbyPZHLV9Wk1m7I8f62yRsMpQlvwerKc1KmwA377zvU_LHgNDtmmKb3nmha_9m72YmGg4IKFD_tBMC3c9HYibeV8zck4ngsr7Yazm2di_tffSKA8GchVSzasA2gcDi9ZsJfMzFltgcs/s200/SL708620.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Put the jars in a large dish and cover almost completely with water (3/4).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then put in the oven which has to be at maximum 100° C.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Turn it off and don't open it for at least 6 hours. The whole night is perfect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FNBSYfJ3VNPM8NsJQAWhvzcCjrLIdJTNROobJtMUMJvaH0uBapUcjvg4A9kv3SAaeQSlH1mUUKqlgXgcEsNVcClw2giLHexJcOntcn1vBHu4WJi0OsUV8K20M8DjB_exOL0iHbq1Yx8/s1600/SL708602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FNBSYfJ3VNPM8NsJQAWhvzcCjrLIdJTNROobJtMUMJvaH0uBapUcjvg4A9kv3SAaeQSlH1mUUKqlgXgcEsNVcClw2giLHexJcOntcn1vBHu4WJi0OsUV8K20M8DjB_exOL0iHbq1Yx8/s200/SL708602.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I usually make yoghurt after I have used the oven to cook something else. I then use the residual heat and let the oven cool down by itself. I told you, it's cheap!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I've also read about another method that uses even less heat:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Wrap the jars in a blanket and leave it by the radiator for 24hours, or even outside during summer. Well, not in Tromsø ;) It works with a temperature of 20 °C.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bon appétit ! </span>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-26492403571928764522013-03-27T11:30:00.004+01:002013-03-27T11:36:09.033+01:00Stop using plastic bags!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Just because I don't post anything doesn't mean I don't do environmental stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Most of the time I must say I'm just lazy: I have an article to write about homemade yogurt for example and I know this one will take time to write...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So today I decided to write about small, easy, random (and short to write about) tricks I do all the time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Trick n°1: use reusable shopping bags</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfYgEEuSrKgSHDE7DI5ak7xPzGQo0jBSo_8XKmkyKwMuzwF3WrH1h395G2HCd8Q3vM1l2fXbzx6_oB5rLpGV2kCAC_VxrM-I9exYSaqV47mKcEWD9ruPLYUHlXHZHwdI-FuzW1UxHzjY/s1600/SL708716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfYgEEuSrKgSHDE7DI5ak7xPzGQo0jBSo_8XKmkyKwMuzwF3WrH1h395G2HCd8Q3vM1l2fXbzx6_oB5rLpGV2kCAC_VxrM-I9exYSaqV47mKcEWD9ruPLYUHlXHZHwdI-FuzW1UxHzjY/s320/SL708716.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">France is terribly ahead of Norway in that matter. 10 years ago you could also get (free) plastic bags at the supermarkets. Non biodegradable bags were forbidden in 2005, but I discover now that only the law was voted in 2005, and the deadline was fixed in 2010. Free plastic bags actually disappeared from the great majority of supermarkets as early as 2006 it seems. Instead you could buy very solid plastic bags for 0,50 cts (right one on the picture). From then on people got used to carry their own bags when going shopping. But I remember a friend who kept forgetting in the beginning and who had to buy one of these super solid bags every time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Norway, plastics bags are not free, but so cheap that it's the same. Most people use them as waste bags, but do you really need that many? Try reusable bags just the time you empty this kitchen drawer full of bags ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It requires a bit of planning as you have to remember take the bag(s) or backpack with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Tromsø it's easy, I almost always have a backpack, especially in the winter (important for the balance when it's slippery ;)). It's also easier to carry groceries this way, think about it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I always carry a textile bag (middle one on the picture) around for unplanned grocery shopping: doesn't take any space in whatever bag I have that day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can either reuse one of the plastic bags you have at home, buy one on Grønnhverdag's website (link in the right side menu) or make your own from an old t-shirt for example:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6yDxK68OZc" target="_blank">Marilyn Monroe T-shirt bag</a>, with a stapler</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/266942/t-shirt-bag" target="_blank">Another T-shirt bag</a>, this one is with a sewing machine</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.google.no/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&ved=0CEoQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzle.com%2Farticles%2Fenvironmental-pollution-the-harmful-effects-of-plastic-bags.html&ei=w8lSUcS8POiR4ASpnICABA&usg=AFQjCNHVuxMKuE_thV4YKbZ1hH6AatiYew&sig2=pqe1_gIPVww1PuyVq8WfMQ&bvm=bv.44342787,d.bGE" target="_blank"><span class="st"><i>Plastic bags</i> harm us, by <i>polluting</i> the environment, and killing animals as well as aquatic life. Read more about it here.</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="st">Turns out I wrote more than I expected :) Another random trick in the next article! </span></span>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-42498536703112227012013-03-17T14:27:00.001+01:002013-03-27T11:37:29.569+01:00Homemade garlic croûtons<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyqDGhF6dQze-nbj_M50MHzM9bQVwBTGwXsUgl6_UeQj7NksP0RL98B54pHGIBryqa1LC5ZVW32GB7_h5IB1M3-OSJTt9-eYZbFQeF-7nOcBTIIegu1gQ2qfR30zX07ArAqwN139T7Mc/s1600/SL708628.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyqDGhF6dQze-nbj_M50MHzM9bQVwBTGwXsUgl6_UeQj7NksP0RL98B54pHGIBryqa1LC5ZVW32GB7_h5IB1M3-OSJTt9-eYZbFQeF-7nOcBTIIegu1gQ2qfR30zX07ArAqwN139T7Mc/s320/SL708628.JPG" width="320" /></a>Lately I decided to stop buying one of the three things I eat most often and make them myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The idea was to reduce the amount of waste.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One of them is garlic croûton. I like to eat "light" in the evening, especially when I have to get up early (eating beaf doesn't help falling asleep for exemple). I often have a corn and cumcumber salad which I like to eat with croûtons, otherwise it's boring :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But as I eat this dish quite often, I used to buy a lot of croûtons. I had to choose between croûtons emported from the US and overpacked european croûtons, which were, on the top of that, not particularly tasty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now I make them myself, every two or three weeks. That's very easy, that's cheap, and they're delicious :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The first recipe I tried requested half a baguette, 6 garlic cloves, herbs and 50 cl olive oil, which is waaaaaay too much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The idea was to squeeze the garlic to bring out the taste as much as possible and mix it with oil. Quite a lot of work the first time BUT... I didn't want to throw what was left of the garlic afterwards so I put everything back in the bottle of oil, with the oil I didn't use.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So my first advice is to simply, very easily macerate garlic (and herbs) in olive oil (cut in small pieces, pour into a bottle of oil, wait, that's it). I gave you the first recipe so you have an idea of the proportions but I poured new oil in my bottle yesterday and the taste is already/still here. Basically you can make a lot of croûtons with the same cloves. You can of course use the garlic oil for other purpose, it tastes delicious!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is very cheap to make because you can use old bread, you know, the very hard one you were not going to eat anyway. So stop throwing it and save it for when you want to bake croûtons. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><b>My recipe</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- half a loaf, more or less</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- 10-13 cl of garlic/olive oil</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1takCRusmJsTDN5Z7ob_jbs_swpUMkG66QvkIotWJDNMuEyrcsg7ayUJq7tBAH7w6a6wOB3x8OHysXtMwELxjt_c0jGb-t_C8m4NJl6O3Cmvx73dWPjBWCoEllS1NqGpui4QnMXX5J08/s1600/SL708606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1takCRusmJsTDN5Z7ob_jbs_swpUMkG66QvkIotWJDNMuEyrcsg7ayUJq7tBAH7w6a6wOB3x8OHysXtMwELxjt_c0jGb-t_C8m4NJl6O3Cmvx73dWPjBWCoEllS1NqGpui4QnMXX5J08/s200/SL708606.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cut the bread in small squares.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zbF6g9hgulKd0MjqpvHIaKz5IlcuC18zIWeyDmYd7Jhbtr0aERPZcuoMemJ62zDWwWSGz1BgvYY6Wbtm2DGNcr7-vQ_u4JutzrbKoMfT0gDQDk70Hg-ZJDMd3CC_0ck9YqKKl66WOsg/s1600/SL708609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6H9D929cwLOQLVPNJ2WBuMZlsc2LhzmigrtXBRiMGmzXpwL3zc100KSMlz4AncjwclGe9npwzo9Wm0MbcLla9IzM36RKMu4mNOSHaC8xcFl-_viNT2ek8xOD737Iw_xbWWg-ye7wucEk/s1600/SL708613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyqDGhF6dQze-nbj_M50MHzM9bQVwBTGwXsUgl6_UeQj7NksP0RL98B54pHGIBryqa1LC5ZVW32GB7_h5IB1M3-OSJTt9-eYZbFQeF-7nOcBTIIegu1gQ2qfR30zX07ArAqwN139T7Mc/s1600/SL708628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zbF6g9hgulKd0MjqpvHIaKz5IlcuC18zIWeyDmYd7Jhbtr0aERPZcuoMemJ62zDWwWSGz1BgvYY6Wbtm2DGNcr7-vQ_u4JutzrbKoMfT0gDQDk70Hg-ZJDMd3CC_0ck9YqKKl66WOsg/s1600/SL708609.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zbF6g9hgulKd0MjqpvHIaKz5IlcuC18zIWeyDmYd7Jhbtr0aERPZcuoMemJ62zDWwWSGz1BgvYY6Wbtm2DGNcr7-vQ_u4JutzrbKoMfT0gDQDk70Hg-ZJDMd3CC_0ck9YqKKl66WOsg/s200/SL708609.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Pour the oil, mix with a spoon.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Pour the oil, mix with a spoon. I recommend to wait here, and to mix
regularly. You may have the impression that you didn't use enough oil
but give it the time to soak the bread.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">About 15 mn at 180 ° C and it's ready!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6H9D929cwLOQLVPNJ2WBuMZlsc2LhzmigrtXBRiMGmzXpwL3zc100KSMlz4AncjwclGe9npwzo9Wm0MbcLla9IzM36RKMu4mNOSHaC8xcFl-_viNT2ek8xOD737Iw_xbWWg-ye7wucEk/s1600/SL708613.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6H9D929cwLOQLVPNJ2WBuMZlsc2LhzmigrtXBRiMGmzXpwL3zc100KSMlz4AncjwclGe9npwzo9Wm0MbcLla9IzM36RKMu4mNOSHaC8xcFl-_viNT2ek8xOD737Iw_xbWWg-ye7wucEk/s200/SL708613.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">10 cl is just enough, you don't need to soak the extra oil afterwards, I put slightly more on this picture.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-35377574368391351032013-02-24T13:52:00.000+01:002013-03-27T11:37:14.773+01:00Body peeling: honey sugar scrub<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuean2C9IBTeu6mRXUUEUDxxGdW-NTmfIWR5GZB71_DZ5rX_MC2oh-U3mLeISL7taEq8IcEdGpjz-j2DFSf5qQ8Q45YKw-wvgA23EMlWgqYLG6uFzZ-1J7312aJ16CG68niTiDIO17f0w/s1600/SL708560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuean2C9IBTeu6mRXUUEUDxxGdW-NTmfIWR5GZB71_DZ5rX_MC2oh-U3mLeISL7taEq8IcEdGpjz-j2DFSf5qQ8Q45YKw-wvgA23EMlWgqYLG6uFzZ-1J7312aJ16CG68niTiDIO17f0w/s200/SL708560.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ever since I got a job, I don't make as many cosmetic products as before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But this one is very simple to make and so pleasant to use. Smells delicious and you'll understand why.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's a body peeling with only kitchen-ingredients.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- 4 table spoons sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- 2 table spoons honey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- 2 table spoons oil</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mix everything and...it's ready!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">--> The more liquid the honey, the better. Mine is slightly hard but is just mix everything with the finger before use.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">--> Use preferably organic ingredients</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">--> Use any oil, but if you don't have antioxydant, don't use a fragile oil. I chose olive and apricot oil.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It leaves the skin really soft but I think sugar would be a bit harsh for a facial peeling.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FvnGb15hUUhPBAWAn5TmiSHBPg28pWRzHP9NXZpIprSYUAhayrPuLwTDK81lJ0ZMlomSrh_4A4J4zIMpWO7W7wc2NNkg9talFLd_sFJ-saSodB05NaePBkUTt24zNclie7-8l7kRK2E/s1600/SL708557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FvnGb15hUUhPBAWAn5TmiSHBPg28pWRzHP9NXZpIprSYUAhayrPuLwTDK81lJ0ZMlomSrh_4A4J4zIMpWO7W7wc2NNkg9talFLd_sFJ-saSodB05NaePBkUTt24zNclie7-8l7kRK2E/s320/SL708557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Recipe found on http://www.faitesmaison.com</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-39834354480189127492012-12-24T12:01:00.001+01:002012-12-28T14:01:52.569+01:00Quality time for Christmas!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I know it's a bit late for a Christmas article but I just wanted to tell you about the present for my 9 year old goddaughter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.fr/2012/02/tips-for-green-presents.html" target="_blank">Same principles as last year</a>, homemade, second hand presents or "personal vouchers", except this year I didn't have time at all for homemade. So I went for personal vouchers and it's not too late for you today. It's a great way to find a gift that will truly please your beloved, instead of rushing to the mall and buying whatever you find because you have to. This kind of gifts tend to stay in a drawer, or ends up on ebay...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Tua0pV1lMF9fcog4qjnRFCRpsXMePpS0trD2kg1dG6x2HHrvzagjTu6utu8x22xHeHeVDNYU6eP4J5dduysEWnU3vLm8H-o2UJ1ScsUSxyD_bJ2TJf6XG-e2JeZte52I9txfgf32bHM/s1600/Image1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Tua0pV1lMF9fcog4qjnRFCRpsXMePpS0trD2kg1dG6x2HHrvzagjTu6utu8x22xHeHeVDNYU6eP4J5dduysEWnU3vLm8H-o2UJ1ScsUSxyD_bJ2TJf6XG-e2JeZte52I9txfgf32bHM/s320/Image1.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I sent my goddaughter a nice postcard, wrapped in gift paper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The card was saying: this year for Christmas, I take you to the movies!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I saw her yesterday, she's really excited :)!</span>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-29127281563364070602012-10-28T10:03:00.003+01:002012-10-28T10:03:43.078+01:00Newspaper in your wet shoes<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We have had a lot of snow lately in Tromsø and since we are kind of in a twin season, that snow does not behave as it should: that is to say, not melt before a few months!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After waiting (a lot - bus chaos!) and walking (a lot too) in that 10 centimeter <strike>melting snow</strike> slightly solid water, my feet, socks, inside of shoes were really really wet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is what to do to make your shoes dry (I didn't want to try the hair dryer because I don't think it's good for the leather/it consumes electricity/it's not very efficient):</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- put crumpled newspaper in the shoes; it definitely absorbs the water.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- replace the paper as often as necessary. I thought it was OK after three times but the paper was still slightly wet after 5-6 times.</span>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-90845279480638616932012-09-16T16:13:00.000+02:002012-09-16T16:13:14.631+02:00Wash your new clothes before wearing them<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Not that it makes them more environmental-friendly, not at all, but it's healthier.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">New clothes contain a lot of chemical, toxic substances. Whether they are pesticides used to grow cotton or used later as pigments or to give the cloth some properties (make them wrinkle free or prevent mildew during shipping for example), these substances can be responsible for allergies, irritations, nausea. In the worst case it can even affect reproductive systems.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is why you should always wash new clothes, especially children's, underwears and bed sheets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is also the reason why second hand clothes are definitely safer and cleaner : because they have been washed so many times that chemicals are gone. Definitely a good option, at least for children. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Another one is to buy organic clothes, also because their carbon footprint is far less important than clothes made with conventionnally-grown cotton. I guess I will have to write an entire article about that too. By the way good news! H&M sell organic-cotton underwear!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Washing new clothes is also a good way to remove extra dye (which you don't want to see on your new white couch or other clothes).</span>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-60554365239410723502012-09-05T19:46:00.000+02:002012-09-16T15:31:22.285+02:00Save money, reduce waste, freeze your food<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCjm9H-OL-B1Ge0UBw1Qof1xJM_RjRu_smCwXph9wkXZJEDIxw_dxDYAqlpkYaiYkdCp20Dx47tlLp-WhEOZnK_LnoyAf7Gd1MHilcQ8aG8zr531oAQFCal7mE4jSlcHsPYrJgNmXnMg/s1600/SL708179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCjm9H-OL-B1Ge0UBw1Qof1xJM_RjRu_smCwXph9wkXZJEDIxw_dxDYAqlpkYaiYkdCp20Dx47tlLp-WhEOZnK_LnoyAf7Gd1MHilcQ8aG8zr531oAQFCal7mE4jSlcHsPYrJgNmXnMg/s320/SL708179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
When you live alone, buying food tends to be more expensive - than when you're two or more - because you have to buy smaller format of everything. Not only the price is higher for an equivalent quantity of food but especially it produces more waste.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
On the other hand, if you buy larger amount, there is a risk that the food will go bad before you have time to eat it.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
One option is to buy - rather - large amount and to freeze what you're not going to eat right away.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
I do that especially for grated cheese: I saved 2-3 bags so I can divide my 500 g cheese and can eat it little by little.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Same thing with bread, not that I don't know when i'm going to eat it (every morning, toasted) but it would get dry before I even have time to finish the whole loaf.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
This trick works pretty with anything you need to warm up anyway, and you don't even need to use the micro wave.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
One onion if often too much for me for one meal (but, hey, you can't buy smaller amount) so I freeze the second half for later (or right now, 3 other halves, there was a discount).</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
This is also a way to save time without going through the junk food/prepared meal option. Same thing when you cook: prepare more, you won't need to cook next time/buy your next lunch.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
In a word, you save time, money and ressources.</div>
The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-28062282505795557832012-08-22T11:24:00.002+02:002012-08-22T11:24:56.287+02:00Documentary "Secondhand land" <div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
I know I haven't posted in a while. I've had a busy summer working and no internet most of the time.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
My summer job ends soon so hopefully (or not hopefully) I'll have more time to write after that.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
A message especially for my Norwegian readers:</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
There is a <b>documentary at 20:15 tonight on NRK1 about reuse of electronic waste in Africa.</b></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<b><i>Gjenbrukslandet </i>by Håvard Fossum</b></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<a href="http://vimeo.com/47665557" target="_blank">Short extract here.</a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<a href="http://blogg.klif.no/Ellens-blogg/2012/Gjenbruk-med-bismak/" target="_blank">More info in Norwegian here.</a></div>
The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-86215064189740921152012-06-15T16:18:00.001+02:002012-06-15T16:18:45.436+02:00"Feast against famine" in Tromsø<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Text by Fremtiden i våre hender</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The first "feast against famine" (Matgildet mot Hungersnød) took place in<br />Oslo last year. This year the event will be organized nationally in Oslo,<br />Bergen, Trondheim, Tromsø, and Stavanger.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We make food that would otherwise have been thrown away into tasty food<br />which will become money which will be used towards food for the Sahel area<br />(in West Africa).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One billion people today suffer from chronic starvation. At the same time<br />30 procent of the food produced in the world is thrown away. Domestically<br />in Norway we throw away close to one thousand tons of good food every day.<br />Through the project ”feast against famine” we shine a light on this tragic<br />paradox and try to help solve the problem. In this way we grasp onto two<br />of the largest - and inextricably interwoven - challenges that the world<br />faces today: poverty and environmental destruction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the week before the event takes place, we will collect perfectly usable<br />food that selected stores otherwise would have thrown away. The food will<br />be divided to and prepared by a network of volunteer cooks that offer up<br />their private kitchens and restaurants for use. The dishes will then be<br />brought to the event location where they will make up a large buffet with<br />dishes from different parts of the world. Guests are urged to donate a sum<br />of money for the meal they enjoy. The money collected will then go to<br />projects that work on food security in areas that are effected by famine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Come and eat to help make the world a better place!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">LOCATION</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Storgata by Stortorget from 11-</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">SCHEDULE</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In Storgata<br />11- Booth where food will be distributed<br />12- Speech by a representative from the Norwegian Church Aid</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At Sivertsens kafe<br />16- Screening of DIVE! a film about dumpster diving<br />20- Consert against famine<br />No Stress Society and Bislage</span>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-57787650769060011092012-05-16T20:28:00.013+02:002023-02-24T06:54:17.499+01:005 - Oil and other ingredients you may use in a soap<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-and-how-to-make-your-own-soap.html">0 - Why and how to make your own soap? </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/1-how-saponification-process.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">1 - How: the saponification process</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/2-using-caustic-soda-safety-precautions.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">2 - Using caustic soda: safety precautions</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/3-using-caustic-soda-online-calculators.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">3 - Using caustic soda: the online calculators</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/4-superfatting-your-soap.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">4 - Superfatting your soap</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/5-oil-and-other-ingredients-you-may-use.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">5 - Oil and other ingredients you may use in a soap</span></a><br />
</div>
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Vegetal
oils and animal fats</span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hz3eN7-ESUheRht1zux1c9jH3Y7WVnPwjlnlsOvepF_OcQ5l7Hh2GSNWBKVOgUmFKYGhWYcGG2HMBT7IFPprclZKC5YWp_F-gO0uld2v46Vs8h8odrGwbPvYS2hHIXpDm9DoDoireL4/s1600/SL707780.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oil and other ingredients you may use in a soap" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hz3eN7-ESUheRht1zux1c9jH3Y7WVnPwjlnlsOvepF_OcQ5l7Hh2GSNWBKVOgUmFKYGhWYcGG2HMBT7IFPprclZKC5YWp_F-gO0uld2v46Vs8h8odrGwbPvYS2hHIXpDm9DoDoireL4/w320-h240/SL707780.JPG" title="Oil and other ingredients you may use in a soap" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Fat is the basic ingredient in soap; you can use
anything as long as you know the amount of lye that is required to saponify it.
Fortunately, most <a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/3-using-caustic-soda-online-calculators.html" target="_blank"><b>online calculators</b></a> are very complete.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">So you can use any oil/fat but it's important to
choose them carefully. For example, I once tried a recipe with only rapeseed and
sunflower oil... not a good idea.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I decided to make soap in order to reduce my carbon
footprint. So I use mostly oils that are from Europe (rather a common kitchen
oil), easy to find, and not too expensive (but this is still Norway...).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Organic,
cold pressed, refined?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Organic:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> no
pesticides or other chemicals are used to produce it; organic oil is most often
cold pressed but not always. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I recommend choosing organic (and cold pressed) oil if
you want to use it on your skin, as a makeup remover for example (<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/03/eco-take-care-of-your-skin-thats-easy.html" target="_blank">see the article "Eco take care of your skin..."</a>).
Same for superfat oil, since it won't be transformed but I don't always do
so. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Coldpressed:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> means
the oil was mechanically extracted, without warming it or using any chemicals.
It kept all its properties. It's the best value for money: good quality and not
too expensive. I don't bother using organic oil in soap (again except for
superfat oil) since it will be entirely transformed and I'm not sure it's worth
the cost. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Refined:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">
chemically extracted, using solvents, or hydrogenated, or warmed at very high
temperatures. </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">It alters the composition of the oil and destroys its
beneficial components. Industrial oil manufacturers do this because it's cheaper
and easier to extract but sometimes it's done for a specific purpose: to make
it more resistant to becoming rancid, or able to stand higher temperatures, or
less smelly, and so on. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I sometimes use refined oil when I want a very brightly
colored soap because they happen to be almost transparent; or when I want to
make cheap laundry soap. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetable_oil#Production" target="_blank">More
information about oil extraction is here (Wikipedia link).</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Olive
oil</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The best oil ever, for soap, cosmetics, health, and your
wallet. I use it not only as the main ingredient in my base recipe but also as
superfat oil after trace (see article "Superfatting your soap"). It
is not a sensitive oil so there is no risk that your soap will go rancid and
olive oil makes very soft (for the skin) soaps. I recently made baby soap with
only olive oil and goat’s milk. Olive oil is one of the best oils for sensitive
skin. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Olive oil makes hard soaps (not every liquid oil does)
but if left in a drop of water it will turn into jelly. It is also well known
that olive oil soap doesn't produce a lot of bubbles but I've been positively
surprised by a 5-month-old soap made with 75-25 % of olive and rapeseed oil.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Rapeseed
oil</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> It makes very soft soaps, with a thin lather,
but it is quite sensitive. It’s therefore recommended that you don’t use more
than 20 %. It's good to combine with olive oil. Cold-pressed rapeseed oil has a
nice yellow colour, and so will your soap (but not as bright). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Sunflower
oil</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> Same as rapeseed oil for the softness and
sensitivity to oxidation, but it makes a nice lather with bubbles. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Grapeseed
oil</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Its main interest is the lather it produces, with
bubbles. It's not recommended to use more than 15 %. I've never found it other
than refined.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Lard</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Yes, lard, or pork fat, is a good alternative to
coconut or palm oil, oils with a heavy carbon footprint (especially palm oil
and deforestation). The lather may not be as abundant with lard but I think
it's pretty good anyway. 10 to 30 % is a reasonable proportion.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I've never found it in an already "meltable"
form in Norway:
you have to </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><a href="http://www.thenewhomemaker.com/makeyourownlard" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-GB">prepare it yourself.</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">When using sensitive oils, one recommends adding some
vitamin E, which is an antioxidant.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Caustic
soda</span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Of course, it is the second main ingredient. It's very
easy to find in Norway
(because of this strange food specialty, lutefisk ^^), in any supermarket.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Liquid</span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I use tap water, but you can actually use other
ingredients (herbal tea, rice cooking water, milk). When using liquid other
than water you should take into consideration that the temperature will
increase a lot when you pour the caustic soda into it. It may help to freeze your
liquid beforehand. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Colors</span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Caustic soda is very capricious; you almost never know
which color you will get. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">You can use food colors; of the same brand, but only 2
out of 3 work.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">However, it is not the most ecological solution: some
are imported from overseas and some contain toxic ingredients that may be
dangerous for children at high concentrations.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Fortunately, there are more natural/easy-to-find colours
you can use. For example cocoa powder, real chocolate, curry, plant powder,
clays... Try to mix it in a little bit of soap dough, to begin with.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp8X83Q_b5VaJekqodGamrK547dNoxPOpQHDbzfXEbdD54Esyqzg0mCHQLD4ysJXcWyurnGfEXW_5Kck6Y2ZGBkzhUET-wABEPBEcY7A_xmpknCAXH5BwZPgEjE8GIvBr2_nXCYb5lXc/s1600/SL707788.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Oil and other ingredients you may use in a soap" border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp8X83Q_b5VaJekqodGamrK547dNoxPOpQHDbzfXEbdD54Esyqzg0mCHQLD4ysJXcWyurnGfEXW_5Kck6Y2ZGBkzhUET-wABEPBEcY7A_xmpknCAXH5BwZPgEjE8GIvBr2_nXCYb5lXc/w200-h124/SL707788.JPG" title="Oil and other ingredients you may use in a soap" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple food color</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZ9f35qTH5G7C3vVcbDnaAFHrePU4wkqT0lmsFmyanJerNsy4WnTIarwV-HVd0BsdxELdsXH4AuVtI7lh_hCbgocEJunhZ7TuPQUBo2fRicfJqITysq-teV2DkiW76zn1JULNge52jhc/s1600/SL707790.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Oil and other ingredients you may use in a soap" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZ9f35qTH5G7C3vVcbDnaAFHrePU4wkqT0lmsFmyanJerNsy4WnTIarwV-HVd0BsdxELdsXH4AuVtI7lh_hCbgocEJunhZ7TuPQUBo2fRicfJqITysq-teV2DkiW76zn1JULNge52jhc/w200-h150/SL707790.JPG" title="Oil and other ingredients you may use in a soap" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cocoa powder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Scent</span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I like nothing better than the natural smell of unscented homemade soap! But I flavor my soaps sometimes, for example with
essential oils. The problem is that it's quite expensive since you need to add
at least 2% (of the total oil weight) for it to smell.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Another solution is to buy synthetic fragrances.
They’re not as natural (and in my opinion not a lot cheaper) but you can make
crazy soaps flavored with apple pie, chocolate cakes, tropical island
scents...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Be careful: if your fragrance contains alcohol, the
dough will thicken very fast. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/6-how-to-make-soap-equipment.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">6 - How to make soap: equipment</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/7-how-to-make-soap-tutorial.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">7 - How to make soap: tutorial </span></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-59194610749476072442012-05-16T20:28:00.012+02:002023-02-24T06:48:09.071+01:004 - Superfatting your soap<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-and-how-to-make-your-own-soap.html">0 - Why and how to make your own soap? </a></span><br />
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/1-how-saponification-process.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">1 - How: the saponification process</span></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/2-using-caustic-soda-safety-precautions.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">2 - Using caustic soda: safety precautions</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/3-using-caustic-soda-online-calculators.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">3 - Using caustic soda: the online calculators</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/4-superfatting-your-soap.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">4 - Superfatting your soap</span></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Superfatting your soap means you will use excess oil,
i.e. more oil than necessary for saponification. Consequently, not all the oil
used will be turned into soap; some of it will remain as oil.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">When you use any detergent, shower gel, or even
homemade soap, it destroys the skin's protective film, which takes a few hours
to reconstitute. Washing too often will weaken your skin. When your
skin is dry for example, it's actually better not to wash - with soap or gel -
the dry and sensitive parts every day rather than trying to fix them with cream
afterward.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The oil contained in superfatted soap temporarily
replaces this natural film by leaving an oily (but not greasy) film on the
skin. This and the natural glycerine contained in cold process soap make homemade
soaps very good for the skin although their Ph is a bit higher (around 9) that
the skin.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Superfatting...
</span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">There are two different methods to superfat a soap:
basically before or after the trace. The trace is the moment you know
saponification has started. After this step, you are supposed to add colors,
scents, and, if you chose to do so, superfat oils.</span></div>
<ul type="disc"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-Voqpk3lD2agl9NF8MYFIz3CE71gSJgwvtbmCINs7vfTHUiIdXlv6zkw8PwYpvtziGdtEQdr1lKlGFYDjl39sYOgSxRXZGm5_HqxSNkcDZ3G-VCXh76d7bayLCIpTjereSh0d2PS85s/s1600/the+sage+6.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Superfatting your soap" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-Voqpk3lD2agl9NF8MYFIz3CE71gSJgwvtbmCINs7vfTHUiIdXlv6zkw8PwYpvtziGdtEQdr1lKlGFYDjl39sYOgSxRXZGm5_HqxSNkcDZ3G-VCXh76d7bayLCIpTjereSh0d2PS85s/w181-h200/the+sage+6.jpg" title="Superfatting your soap" width="181" /></a>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">...
by a lye reduction</span></b></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">You want to use a given amount of oil and from that
information, you will adapt the quantity of lye to use to make it fit the %
of superfat oil you want (<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/3-using-caustic-soda-online-calculators.html" target="_blank"><b>see paragraph on The Sage</b></a>). It means you will use all
the oils of your recipe right from the beginning.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">...
after trace</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEsi9FBayNlctebnF5lcnqecuo7q-0sgdlG8N0lrlWN-2fxzIDOwD2tVTTnrIGDhqL_QzqHPvhVNZy1Vzr-YlWLo_9EZD2ILsPUlWxpWoUiZWJM41F_rpqJy-JKkgMY32FhTyDXyC12c/s1600/SL707785.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Superfatting your soap" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEsi9FBayNlctebnF5lcnqecuo7q-0sgdlG8N0lrlWN-2fxzIDOwD2tVTTnrIGDhqL_QzqHPvhVNZy1Vzr-YlWLo_9EZD2ILsPUlWxpWoUiZWJM41F_rpqJy-JKkgMY32FhTyDXyC12c/w200-h150/SL707785.JPG" title="Superfatting your soap" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">By superfatting after trace, you have two different
amounts of oil in your recipe. Let's say that you want to make a batch with 500 g oil, this whole
quantity is meant to be saponified: no lye reduction here since you want a 0 %
fat excess. However, you will add the superfat oil later, after the trace. For a 5 %
fat excess, you will add 25 g of oil. You will actually use 525
g of oil in total. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">In the first case,
with a lye reduction, the untransformed oils remaining in the soap will be the
same as in the recipe, with the same proportions. However when superfatting
after trace, one considers that the oils added before trace will be entirely transformed
at the end of the process; the only actual oil remaining will be your
superfat oil.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The advantage of
such a method (after trace) is that you choose which oil will (or will not)
remain on your skin after showering. When I use lard, I don't want it to be one
of the superfat oils (which it would be with a lye reduction). Same thing when
you use sensitive oil: it's better to have them transformed, and not remain
as oil. Your soap could go rancid over time <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/5-oil-and-other-ingredients-you-may-use.html" target="_blank">read more on oils you can use</a>)</b>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I actually use a
combination of both methods: a lye reduction so as to have a 1 % fat excess as
a safety precaution, then I add 5 % of the total oil weight which makes a 6
% superfat.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/5-oil-and-other-ingredients-you-may-use.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">5 - Oil and other ingredients you may use in a soap</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/6-how-to-make-soap-equipment.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">6 - How to make soap: equipment</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/7-how-to-make-soap-tutorial.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">7 - How to make soap: tutorial </span></a></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-41675793820621940132012-05-16T20:28:00.011+02:002023-02-24T06:45:37.919+01:003 - Using caustic soda: the online calculators<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-and-how-to-make-your-own-soap.html">0 - Why and how to make your own soap? </a></span><br />
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/1-how-saponification-process.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">1 - How: the saponification process</span></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/2-using-caustic-soda-safety-precautions.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">2 - Using caustic soda: safety precautions</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/3-using-caustic-soda-online-calculators.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">3 - Using caustic soda: the online calculators</span></a><br />
<br />
</div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The process of saponification requires a precise quantity
of lye; this quantity varies depending on the oil(s) you use. So always use a
lye calculator, even if you reuse a recipe seen on the internet (check
twice!). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The Sage</span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I mostly use <a href="http://www.thesage.com/calcs/lyecalc2.php" target="_blank">The Sage
calculator</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXefu8qgLsEVzKZlYWIZgQ_Elc53jr-CI5be17VP9O5jP3afdpBW0iPXoQQeJI_7erogmBIW6yhCHByb1VyCdU7fSRQBYK29coxz8FN4DhFV7GXwc0aFhn-rAh5Stbv9BYrYKHvxwR1Bo/s1600/the+sage+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Using caustic soda: the online calculators" border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXefu8qgLsEVzKZlYWIZgQ_Elc53jr-CI5be17VP9O5jP3afdpBW0iPXoQQeJI_7erogmBIW6yhCHByb1VyCdU7fSRQBYK29coxz8FN4DhFV7GXwc0aFhn-rAh5Stbv9BYrYKHvxwR1Bo/w320-h212/the+sage+1.jpg" title="Using caustic soda: the online calculators" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> Make
sure to choose the right weight measurement.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span lang="EN">
</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Sodium
hydroxide (already checked) is the lye we use for solid soap. Potassium
hydroxide is used for liquid soap.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">If you're
using lye flakes/beads, just fill in the oil information. In some
countries, at least in France,
you can buy water and lye already mixed, that's what "liquid lye
solution" is for. The concentration that you have to write in the box
must be around 30%. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> ***</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_I18ENmw7ZjbM15cgTnUbgsc-FJNi3neq2il6Ea3jfwZuAR7jqzmKLyNufLPwdYr2HwwEa95QKU0L4FToNbG8EA_kVCc2DEDqS9FjdyDCYee8lPgDaqm4BHsIsGlWZed1NMvBbgqb5o/s1600/the+sage+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Using caustic soda: the online calculators" border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_I18ENmw7ZjbM15cgTnUbgsc-FJNi3neq2il6Ea3jfwZuAR7jqzmKLyNufLPwdYr2HwwEa95QKU0L4FToNbG8EA_kVCc2DEDqS9FjdyDCYee8lPgDaqm4BHsIsGlWZed1NMvBbgqb5o/w400-h257/the+sage+3.jpg" title="Using caustic soda: the online calculators" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</div>
<ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">Enter the amount for each oil you want to use and then click on "Calculate lye"<span id="result_box" lang="en"><span class="hps"> </span></span><span id="result_box" lang="en"><span class="hps"> </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span id="result_box" lang="en"><span class="hps"> ***</span></span><span id="result_box" lang="en"><span class="hps"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WQcnQPcMMm_IetV8B__koGhMkJV4mPqqbYC0PSXj-Epm_wry_nRWmAYlrvBnv9CLn_Y6R32R9Op1ZP8waqyS5Jx_kN6N9fumV2ZqQuvOKLhU-KA-onkgj3vBJh8GabfD2YvH9YxkFBs/s1600/the+sage+5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Using caustic soda: the online calculators" border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WQcnQPcMMm_IetV8B__koGhMkJV4mPqqbYC0PSXj-Epm_wry_nRWmAYlrvBnv9CLn_Y6R32R9Op1ZP8waqyS5Jx_kN6N9fumV2ZqQuvOKLhU-KA-onkgj3vBJh8GabfD2YvH9YxkFBs/w400-h190/the+sage+5.jpg" title="Using caustic soda: the online calculators" width="400" /></a></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The
next page will give you information on the quantity of water (or another
liquid) and caustic soda to use. The Sage gives a bracket of water amounts
that can be used; to begin with, I recommend calculating and using the
average. Here: between 70 and 105 ml ---> 86 ml or grams.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">***</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhos6CGnBiH_R9djZrwSpyXLq6Dp-c0RaV7M2xY4fWNFabhapYJlAi3LCdVkqQBtM1rlVDyKzKF_7wKcdxQ2pMJH3puJV4Q081lyPrNt11XtChSKQ7RnHyxzLF43qvwa7rSpWMuI029xsU/s1600/the+sage+6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Using caustic soda: the online calculators" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhos6CGnBiH_R9djZrwSpyXLq6Dp-c0RaV7M2xY4fWNFabhapYJlAi3LCdVkqQBtM1rlVDyKzKF_7wKcdxQ2pMJH3puJV4Q081lyPrNt11XtChSKQ7RnHyxzLF43qvwa7rSpWMuI029xsU/w291-h320/the+sage+6.jpg" title="Using caustic soda: the online calculators" width="291" /></a></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The
lye table gives you the quantity of soda you must use depending on the
excess fat/superfat you want. The more superfat you want the soap to be,
the less lye you will use. In other words, you will use a given amount of
oil and make a lye reduction. It's just one way to do it (<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/4-superfatting-your-soap.html" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">read more about superfatting here</b></a>).</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">A
superfat between 5 % and 8 % is the most common and good enough for the
skin. More than 8 %, the soap may not be hard enough and it will make your
shower greasy. Less than 5 % is not especially recommended for the skin
but for laundry soap, I choose 0 % or 1 % as a safety precaution.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">*****</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Soapcalc</span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">I use also this other </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><a href="http://www.soapcalc.net/calc/SoapCalcWP.asp" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-GB">calculator</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">
sometimes, just to check (you're never too safe with caustic soda). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWG1juYbf0sRe6pQfmYvu3IfClny0hceAt1_c6J-dwAukXIiB9arXnxyEnsTkIrMLaxLOMWFOzbEQteTeuG3UzqB_D6cXiXeAlGeEi0WxxXQ7xtHjk2aLqbKjMIgytNt4uZH1MPk3Zug4/s1600/soapcalc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Using caustic soda: the online calculators" border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWG1juYbf0sRe6pQfmYvu3IfClny0hceAt1_c6J-dwAukXIiB9arXnxyEnsTkIrMLaxLOMWFOzbEQteTeuG3UzqB_D6cXiXeAlGeEi0WxxXQ7xtHjk2aLqbKjMIgytNt4uZH1MPk3Zug4/w400-h276/soapcalc.jpg" title="Using caustic soda: the online calculators" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Again,
NaOH (lye for solid soap) is already checked (1 on the picture), and you
have to choose a weight measurement (2).</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The
first difference between this calculator and The Sage is that you have to
enter the total amount of oil you want to use (it's automatically 500 grams) (2). You
choose your oils (5) by clicking on the drop-down menu. Then you fill in
each amount either in grams or in percentages (it depends on how you built
your recipe).</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Contrary
to The Sage, Soapcalc will give you a precise amount of liquid. In order
to get the same average quantity, you have to choose "water as %age
of oil" and fill in 30% (3). The automatic choice, 38%, will give you
the maximum quantity on The Sage. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">You
also have to choose the fat excess you want (automatically 5%) (4).</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Once
the form is completed, click on "calculate" and "view
recipe". You won't get any "brackets" here, only a precise
quantity according to the choices you entered. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Soapcalc
also has a "soap qualities" section, which I don't find very
useful or accurate. I'd rather use oils that I know have reliable values
and make my own tests (which again don't always fit with Soapcalc's
analysis). </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/4-superfatting-your-soap.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">4 - Superfatting your soap</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/5-oil-and-other-ingredients-you-may-use.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">5 - Oil and other ingredients you may use in a soap</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/6-how-to-make-soap-equipment.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">6 - How to make soap: equipment</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/7-how-to-make-soap-tutorial.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">7 - How to make soap: tutorial </span></a></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-80481244645949027052012-05-16T20:28:00.010+02:002023-02-24T06:40:55.522+01:002 - Using caustic soda: safety precautions<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-and-how-to-make-your-own-soap.html">0 - Why and how to make your own soap? </a></span><br />
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/1-how-saponification-process.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">1 - How: the saponification process</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/2-using-caustic-soda-safety-precautions.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">2 - Using caustic soda: safety precautions</span></a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqel-PoaWTviyxq1oG_j7QzxJ6cxuzQhWn8FXyVftvjFBZuaKYfqq2PbPtU1dWdbP98rgY3KNDX-rLE2WSRZZjw8UkXostBjUlHIWRDV89X68AFvXfehyphenhyphenfkoe0GdiYGZ1j6-ShyphenhyphenIIZ4A/s1600/500px-Hazard_X.svg.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Using caustic soda: safety precautions" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqel-PoaWTviyxq1oG_j7QzxJ6cxuzQhWn8FXyVftvjFBZuaKYfqq2PbPtU1dWdbP98rgY3KNDX-rLE2WSRZZjw8UkXostBjUlHIWRDV89X68AFvXfehyphenhyphenfkoe0GdiYGZ1j6-ShyphenhyphenIIZ4A/w200-h200/500px-Hazard_X.svg.png" title="Using caustic soda: safety precautions" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Sodium hydroxide is very corrosive; its pH varies
between 12 and 14 (FYI, water has a pH of 7, skin around 6, and hair around 5).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Making soap requires you to mix caustic soda with
water (or another liquid, for example, herb tea), which will significantly
increase the liquid temperature. To avoid dangerous splashes, it's very
important to <b>POUR THE CAUSTIC SODA INTO THE WATER</b> (not the water into the soda), and
this lye mixture into the oil.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Pouring water into caustic soda would provoke a
"volcano effect". The same thing will happen at this point if you use
objects made of materials that react with lye e.g. metals (except stainless
steel) and wood. Using glass containers and a stainless steel spoon to stir is
a good solution.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">And you don't want the volcano effect to happen because:</span></div>
<div style="tab-stops: 51.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Caustic soda is
irritating and corrosive to skin, eyes, respiratory and digestive tracts.</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Knowing that, here are a few recommendations that are
important to follow:</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Be sure to have time and to be alone for at least 2
hours. Keep children, husbands, and animals away.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><b>Cover yourself</b>: it's very important to use gloves, preferably a long-sleeved top and safety glasses. You should also use gloves to
unmold and cut the finished soap.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Cover your workspace (old newspapers). </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Use an electronic scale; </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">a kitchen scale with
1g precision is fine if you make batches of over 400 g of oil. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Do not breathe lye emanation when mixing water and lye;
you should use a mask, and/or work in a <b>well-ventilated area</b>.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">You will use a hand blender to mix the oil and water
solution. It’s pretty obvious but <b>does not lift the blender while it’s turned on</b>.
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The <b>utensils </b>and containers you use for soap making are
from then on strictly reserved for soap making: you must never use them again
for cooking (risk of food poisoning).</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The process of saponification requires a precise
quantity of lye; this quantity varies depending on the oil(s) you use. So
<b>always use a lye calculato</b>r, even if you reuse a recipe seen on the internet
(check twice!) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1154779453">read more on</a></b><a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/3-using-caustic-soda-online-calculators.html" target="_blank"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">lye calculators</b></a>). </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><b>Wait at least 4 weeks </b>(we call it the cure time) before using your newly made soap
and test its pH. It should not be higher than 10. Use pH paper strips or do the
"tongue test": </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">touch the tip of your tongue to a fresh bar of soap.
If no electric zing, it is safe to use.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> </span></li>
</ul>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Finally, if you really want to make soap, read this
article entirely and also some others before you start. </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/3-using-caustic-soda-online-calculators.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">3 - Using caustic soda: the online calculators</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/4-superfatting-your-soap.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">4 - Superfatting your soap</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/5-oil-and-other-ingredients-you-may-use.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">5 - Oil and other ingredients you may use in a soap</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/6-how-to-make-soap-equipment.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">6 - How to make soap: equipment</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/7-how-to-make-soap-tutorial.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">7 - How to make soap: tutorial </span></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"></span></div>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-2807422448032772602012-05-16T20:28:00.008+02:002023-02-24T06:37:36.560+01:001 - How: the saponification process<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-and-how-to-make-your-own-soap.html">0 - Why and how to make your own soap? </a></span><br />
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/1-how-saponification-process.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">1 - How: the saponification process</span></a><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Soap is the result of a chemical reaction between
fatty substances (oils, lard, vegetable butter) and sodium hydroxide also called lye or caustic
soda (NaOH). Caustic soda is a dangerous substance and is to be used very
carefully, but it is totally transformed through the process: none of it
remains at the end of the chemical reaction...if you used the right quantity of
lye.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLkOzwx7c3P-tIO7kEs_Wr1UauY-tORcsxCuWrQLSCY9IlvepYq5VmPUrgymRUfcG8iZRVUJXIEjXTOerydk_BazptPyWUvaH4dxwVA8jy4wTm3kGk4gjc4itOUW7PYzB1jeww_Nb3C4/s1600/SL707637.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How: the saponification process" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLkOzwx7c3P-tIO7kEs_Wr1UauY-tORcsxCuWrQLSCY9IlvepYq5VmPUrgymRUfcG8iZRVUJXIEjXTOerydk_BazptPyWUvaH4dxwVA8jy4wTm3kGk4gjc4itOUW7PYzB1jeww_Nb3C4/w200-h150/SL707637.JPG" title="How: the saponification process" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">If you use more lye than required your soap will be
"caustic" and irritating. Therefore it's recommended that you use
less soda and more oil than the exact amount required for total saponification.
Firstly, it's a safety precaution: using more oil than necessary for the
chemical reaction is a guarantee that the lye will be entirely transformed through
the process.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">And more than that, with extra oil (nonsaponified -
remaining oil), your soap will be even softer on the skin. This extra oil is
called "superfast" <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/4-superfatting-your-soap.html" target="_blank">read more on superfat oil</a>)</b>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Another important thing you should know is that the
amount of lye depends on the oil(s) you use. Two different oils won't require
the same amount to be turned into soap.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The good news is that it's very easy to calculate this
amount, even for recipes with a lot of different oils, thanks to <a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/3-using-caustic-soda-online-calculators.html" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">online calculators</b></a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08CXWz8WzJK-7KJlEN8QRONPYiG1PexxdmB5FlJb1qkTdjve4TtjzbY3_p-JFfMt-4hLfTuspARZRo8HmKrPfQ_3JKVNwnJJGeHP4sgI_M9uWCMk_inx5VtRmceE_l3okndKp2KHEMhY/s1600/SL707441.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08CXWz8WzJK-7KJlEN8QRONPYiG1PexxdmB5FlJb1qkTdjve4TtjzbY3_p-JFfMt-4hLfTuspARZRo8HmKrPfQ_3JKVNwnJJGeHP4sgI_M9uWCMk_inx5VtRmceE_l3okndKp2KHEMhY/s200/SL707441.JPG" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Saponification starts very simple once you have
blended the oils and the lye solution (in a special order) and mixed them until
you get a "trace" (an important step I will talk more about in the
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/7-how-to-make-soap-tutorial.html" target="_blank"><b>tutorial</b></a>). From this point on, the dough will remain homogeneous and will thicken
and turn into hard soap within the next 24-48 hours. This reaction produces
heat. Once you've reached the trace, saponification has started, without you
having to do anything else but wait. We call this method the "cold
process"; it's the simplest of all so I won't describe others like ITMHP
(In The Mold Hot Process) where you cook your soap in the oven. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/2-using-caustic-soda-safety-precautions.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">2 - Using caustic soda: safety precautions</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/3-using-caustic-soda-online-calculators.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">3 - Using caustic soda: the online calculators</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/4-superfatting-your-soap.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">4 - Superfatting your soap</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/5-oil-and-other-ingredients-you-may-use.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">5 - Oil and other ingredients you may use in a soap</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/6-how-to-make-soap-equipment.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">6 - How to make soap: equipment</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/7-how-to-make-soap-tutorial.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">7 - How to make soap: tutorial </span></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqH6AhsMe-HKClQJQFCIxWx1feW8YXueTlSHdicqJ3qVeLfuTGsuhH8qyZsf_Q3hJeeQ_L2sT6vx2sZRhI-VzirZRDHX6NDt2BVVMSS6CkBHORnToRfkiP9l7cpmYt3pbB2vzVNr1Eo5A/s1600/SL707609.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-45806577112227726322012-05-16T20:28:00.007+02:002012-05-19T09:40:36.478+02:007 - How to make soap: tutorial<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqH6AhsMe-HKClQJQFCIxWx1feW8YXueTlSHdicqJ3qVeLfuTGsuhH8qyZsf_Q3hJeeQ_L2sT6vx2sZRhI-VzirZRDHX6NDt2BVVMSS6CkBHORnToRfkiP9l7cpmYt3pbB2vzVNr1Eo5A/s1600/SL707609.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqH6AhsMe-HKClQJQFCIxWx1feW8YXueTlSHdicqJ3qVeLfuTGsuhH8qyZsf_Q3hJeeQ_L2sT6vx2sZRhI-VzirZRDHX6NDt2BVVMSS6CkBHORnToRfkiP9l7cpmYt3pbB2vzVNr1Eo5A/s200/SL707609.JPG" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-and-how-to-make-your-own-soap.html">0 - Why and how to make your own soap? </a></span><br />
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/1-how-saponification-process.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">1 - How: the saponification process</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/2-using-caustic-soda-safety-precautions.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">2 - Using caustic soda: safety precautions</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/3-using-caustic-soda-online-calculators.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">3 - Using caustic soda: the online calculators</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/4-superfatting-your-soap.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">4 - Superfatting your soap</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/5-oil-and-other-ingredients-you-may-use.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">5 - Oil and other ingredients you may use in a soap</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/6-how-to-make-soap-equipment.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">6 - How to make soap: equipment</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/7-how-to-make-soap-tutorial.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">7 - How to make soap: tutorial </span></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">1 - Choose your oils, build a recipe and <a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/3-using-caustic-soda-online-calculators.html" target="_blank"><b>calculate online</b></a> the amount of lye required.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">2 -
<b>Weigh</b>:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvG1IyxPtOO4DrtecQXCVef5voXDnviDIp5NDYUHlsaey0ZZLFFswj6b7p0zbkbWhjZC29Z2ZMf3DJh1KfWEseSCbKLdd6RSW2_S4vGsBJYAt_2ukkYzIb1F-NqaLdpn7xvA3XVWTpaU/s1600/SL707637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvG1IyxPtOO4DrtecQXCVef5voXDnviDIp5NDYUHlsaey0ZZLFFswj6b7p0zbkbWhjZC29Z2ZMf3DJh1KfWEseSCbKLdd6RSW2_S4vGsBJYAt_2ukkYzIb1F-NqaLdpn7xvA3XVWTpaU/s200/SL707637.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">your
<b> oils</b>, all in the same container. If you happen to put a bit too much of
some oils, just recalculate the amount of lye online.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">the
<b> water </b>in a <b>glass</b>/Pyrex jar</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">the
<b>caustic soda</b> with your <b>gloves </b>on.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-m3orXOlLFrYId8cm0QWvYNoHQXXiGKxTde-0Hd8n4Nb-T_KYi57HDLe0ZH7qpnpkVuHVuypT6UrMOzX-Mwgd91kDUnCBATf_Sj62lXrrboF-XxbK0Lj9usSVXI99sKmyH2dO96LVGyY/s1600/SL707641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-m3orXOlLFrYId8cm0QWvYNoHQXXiGKxTde-0Hd8n4Nb-T_KYi57HDLe0ZH7qpnpkVuHVuypT6UrMOzX-Mwgd91kDUnCBATf_Sj62lXrrboF-XxbK0Lj9usSVXI99sKmyH2dO96LVGyY/s200/SL707641.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">3 - Now that's the tricky part. You have to <a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/2-using-caustic-soda-safety-precautions.html" target="_blank">pour theCAUSTIC SODA INTO THE WATER, not the other way around</a>. <b>Stir continuously </b>with a
stainless steel spoon while you do so. You may have to scrape the caustic soda
out of the container. The liquid will get cloudy and very warm; don't breathe
the emanations, it will make you cough.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">If you didn't stir enough while pouring, the lye may
form a compact mass at the bottom of the container. Try to break it
(carefully!) into smaller pieces, stir a little and wait. It will eventually
entirely dissolve. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">You may read on other websites that both the oil and
the lye solution have to be at a precise temperature. I personally use very few
vegetal butters or "solid oils" so I don't need to warm my oil up and
use it at room temperature. Regarding my lye solution, I just wait 10-15
minutes for it to get colder - and transparent. I don't use a thermometer and
there is probably a temperature difference between oil and lye solution but I
make perfectly fine soaps this way.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">NB: if you use ice cubes instead or with liquid water,
the solution won't get that warm.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">4 - While you're <b>waiting for the solution to cool
down</b>, you may prepare your mold (grease it if it’s not throwable or silicone
made), weigh your superfat oil and other additional ingredients, spend some
time on my blog, and so on ;).</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVa4tAD_U0Q-HheqESInVOfF-NpF0737bUUPX8NjpgAhLxcVDq1QFprDg0NHvymormeQyP9QQQp4YdY22u7BTdm8yEqGXpGAT5WNvLjwE1vzZIh85Rjg70e4kIrvgR1p9ggrQqqmP6z0/s1600/SL707642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVa4tAD_U0Q-HheqESInVOfF-NpF0737bUUPX8NjpgAhLxcVDq1QFprDg0NHvymormeQyP9QQQp4YdY22u7BTdm8yEqGXpGAT5WNvLjwE1vzZIh85Rjg70e4kIrvgR1p9ggrQqqmP6z0/s200/SL707642.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">5 - After at least 10 minutes, when the liquid has got
colder and transparent, pour the lye solution into the oil.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">5 - After at least 10 minutes, when the liquid has got
colder and transparent, <b>pour the lye solution into the oil</b>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqbnyP2xSmfBLHAdOQNFRwuh33e6SPibxOMvLpokAymEgDd4qM6unMxw0HTogi_x-kVpDE0gWaoTNweYevwr28Shn2Xw7WaSQcaoE7jHACitrt3RcmfUxanYXq_7HVIouIGe3qzymOtE/s1600/SL707655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqbnyP2xSmfBLHAdOQNFRwuh33e6SPibxOMvLpokAymEgDd4qM6unMxw0HTogi_x-kVpDE0gWaoTNweYevwr28Shn2Xw7WaSQcaoE7jHACitrt3RcmfUxanYXq_7HVIouIGe3qzymOtE/s200/SL707655.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thick trace already; this is a small batch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">6 - <b>Start blending with the hand blender</b> (and don't
lift it while it’s turned on). You must blend until you reach "the
trace". The trace is when a drop of fresh soap takes a few seconds to
disappear. Some oils take longer to reach this stage, like olive oil for example.
But it should not take more than 5 minutes. In every case, alternate periods
with the blender on and hand stirring (so your blender doesn't die in the
process).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpJDR-oTMFzP97v094Cs4IIOdqdog17PpJ_SbKrzSJgW0KO4ToZxYySnHEqYpEZlRM9nquAPhWRUWTz92fhLcOg_DrrGhs5zeu668TBEmmbvKNTWGKDT9QPfmzXUjte7XHRu5h8fe460/s1600/SL707786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpJDR-oTMFzP97v094Cs4IIOdqdog17PpJ_SbKrzSJgW0KO4ToZxYySnHEqYpEZlRM9nquAPhWRUWTz92fhLcOg_DrrGhs5zeu668TBEmmbvKNTWGKDT9QPfmzXUjte7XHRu5h8fe460/s200/SL707786.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soda ashes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Once you've reach the trace, <a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/4-superfatting-your-soap.html" target="_blank"><b>add your superfat oil</b></a> (if
you chose the second method), <b>colors </b>and <b>scents</b>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">7 - <b>Pour into the mold and cover</b> (with a simple piece
of paper just put on it, no need to use throwable plastic wrap) so as to
prevent a thin layer of "soda ash" to appear on the top of your soap.
It's not dangerous at all, just a little unesthetic.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">8 - <b>Cleaning up. </b>You can either wash the equipment straight away, first with vinegar and then with dish liquid or, and that's what I do, wait for a few days. Make sure it's in a safe place. I wait for a few days: soap dough has transformed into soap. It's easier to clean. I put my container in the sink and let them fill with water (when I wash my hands for example). I even reuse this soap water to wash dishes. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Throw also the old newspaper (make sure nothing - soda pearls for example - fall from it). Wrap the throwable things you used in it and throw them in the trash (in a closed separate bags if you have kids).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSp5u4ADSZY39lK-qNprrSAyr5WkHBho1nizms2EmnX-vEqBl-51_Q-8fTbn37GVOYrmD3D5q-TcXfmyoZ7LeZ7wHjtnXzAMOWia1p3DdK2FJPiHABC7eVyMbeoHcLxEo7zFXRFNQJRA/s1600/SL707776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSp5u4ADSZY39lK-qNprrSAyr5WkHBho1nizms2EmnX-vEqBl-51_Q-8fTbn37GVOYrmD3D5q-TcXfmyoZ7LeZ7wHjtnXzAMOWia1p3DdK2FJPiHABC7eVyMbeoHcLxEo7zFXRFNQJRA/s200/SL707776.JPG" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">9 - The next step consists of... waiting and waiting
again. First, you have to wait 24-40 hours before <b>unmolding </b>the soap, and
cutting it. If it's a little difficult/too soft to unmold, put it in the
freezer for some time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">After that you have to wait at least <b>4 weeks before
using the newborn soap </b>(= curing period). Firstly, it's a way to ensure that the saponification
is complete; the process may go on a few days after the soap has
hardened. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Secondly, the older soap gets, the longer it takes to
melt. You could actually use it after two weeks but it would melt very very
fast. Some people also say soap gets softer when older, and I’ve been
positively surprised by a soap that was producing more bubbles after five
months!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">10 - Test your soap's pH (no more than 10!) or
tongue-test it (if no electric zing, it is safe to use). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">11 - Use it, offer it, and make more soap again!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5usH3w4DxA8B9m9_v1bhkYO2vfA_BU7oXEUCi5ZPwEyKFYyIiHNnGeaW9Fb3_SgKhjJq3tirEpusWZl64cdEpww1Bn61Ni6JGx5R2COGV9NR0xRmdjQSf8gkZvNMBLonbPkYEaorg30/s1600/SL707450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5usH3w4DxA8B9m9_v1bhkYO2vfA_BU7oXEUCi5ZPwEyKFYyIiHNnGeaW9Fb3_SgKhjJq3tirEpusWZl64cdEpww1Bn61Ni6JGx5R2COGV9NR0xRmdjQSf8gkZvNMBLonbPkYEaorg30/s320/SL707450.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanilla soap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> If you are not sure about something, please ask!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-32100209847812395722012-05-16T20:28:00.006+02:002012-05-16T20:47:45.223+02:006 - How to make soap: equipment<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-and-how-to-make-your-own-soap.html">0 - Why and how to make your own soap? </a></span><br />
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/1-how-saponification-process.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">1 - How: the saponification process</span></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/2-using-caustic-soda-safety-precautions.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">2 - Using caustic soda: safety precautions</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/3-using-caustic-soda-online-calculators.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">3 - Using caustic soda: the online calculators</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/4-superfatting-your-soap.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">4 - Superfatting your soap</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/5-oil-and-other-ingredients-you-may-use.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">5 - Oil and other ingredients you may use in a soap</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/6-how-to-make-soap-equipment.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">6 - How to make soap: equipment</span></a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz2eEqCgUntp2UIO23RaBQ5pnR83jbydLGv4WG9xoInYIOlvYvqGG6shs5AfWBqeVU2jv7-bqDgwZemmwF0ZvdRX922DYAsH1hgVI1bMBCT03V5ciJyl0uVyInnh-wr-sGNTwAqyCw4k/s1600/SL707634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz2eEqCgUntp2UIO23RaBQ5pnR83jbydLGv4WG9xoInYIOlvYvqGG6shs5AfWBqeVU2jv7-bqDgwZemmwF0ZvdRX922DYAsH1hgVI1bMBCT03V5ciJyl0uVyInnh-wr-sGNTwAqyCw4k/s200/SL707634.JPG" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">- <b>Safety equipment</b>, specifically <b>gloves</b>, is absolutely
necessary (read this about caustic soda). You should also use safety glasses, a
mask, and <b>old newspapers</b> to cover your workspace.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">- An <b>electronic scale</b>. A kitchen scale with 1g
precision is fine if you make batches over 400 g of oil. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">- A <b>hand blender</b>; without it, it could take hours for
the saponification to start. It's up to you ;)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">- <b>Containers</b>; at least 3. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">One to weigh caustic soda and one to weigh oil and in
which you will pour and blend the lye solution with the hand blender. For these
two, I just reuse large yoghurt pots (or crème fraiche pots) that I then throw
away.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">It’s fine to have a simple, thin pot to weigh the lye,
but it's better to have a more <b>solid container to blend the oil and lye
solution</b>; I use hard plastic yoghurt pots. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">In the last container <b>you will weigh water</b>. It's in
here that you will prepare the lye solution by pouring in the already-weighed
caustic soda. Doing so will produce an exothermic (heat producing) reaction,
that is why you must use a <b>container resistant to high temperatures</b>. I use a
glass jar.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/2-using-caustic-soda-safety-precautions.html" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><b>Read safety precautions! </b></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">- A <b>stainless steel</b> <b>spoon</b>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">When pouring caustic soda into water, you will have to
stir the liquid at the same time. You cannot use just any utensil. Wood or
metals other than stainless steel will react in the solution, producing a
volcano effect. You need at least a stainless steel spoon that you can also use
later in the process (scraping the dough out of the containers), but it's ok to
use a wooden spoon once the lye solution has been poured into the oil.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">- A <b>mold</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Again, I reuse <b>food packaging</b>. It can be yoghurt pots
or, to make soap bars, milk/juice cartons. You don't need to grease the mold
and the soap will be easy to unmold since you can just tear the carton. You may
also use silicone molds (I bought second hand ice cube molds) but from that day
on they will be <b>only used for soap</b>/cosmetics making.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">- A <b>knife</b>, to cut the soap once it has hardened.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/7-how-to-make-soap-tutorial.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">7 - How to make soap: tutorial </span></a></div>
</div>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-3304233531420294892012-05-16T20:28:00.000+02:002012-05-16T20:46:04.945+02:00Why and how to make your own soap?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIWp8wuH8rywsbkmUa4yBkZwHu900wSqiNKy9QiA296mT0rraYXqPPVEam3wmtkD5XVVfIBc0Z_GYyraDuYZVujW44xI7bPaHhOWv1NLMi4bdIObXXOtnvmM6XAbaoSxMZ1_JBPFxmnI/s1600/SL707791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIWp8wuH8rywsbkmUa4yBkZwHu900wSqiNKy9QiA296mT0rraYXqPPVEam3wmtkD5XVVfIBc0Z_GYyraDuYZVujW44xI7bPaHhOWv1NLMi4bdIObXXOtnvmM6XAbaoSxMZ1_JBPFxmnI/s320/SL707791.JPG" width="320" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></span></u></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">As I explained it in a previous article, I came to
home-made soap because I wanted to control the ingredients (no palm oil) and
their origin (as few kilometres as possible), so as to use the most ecological
soap for my <a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/02/recipe-homemade-laundry-liquid.html" target="_blank">laundry liquid</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">But there are other valid reasons to make soap for
yourself: some oils are naturally soft and good for the skin, others you will
choose because they give extra lather and foam to the soap, or even because
they just give a special colour you like.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">In a word: home-made soap is very good for the skin
(also because it naturally contains glycerine, which is otherwise removed from
industrial soaps) and it's even better because it's customized to your needs.
Another good reason to make your own soap is the price. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Finally, it's a very creative (and addictive!)
activity, which may explain why soap makers make more soap than they can use.
Soap making is a complex and very rich art. It’s a great hobby, and you
probably won't offer anything else than soap for Christmas.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">That's a lot of good reasons to start, and the good
news is that you can combine them all.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Before starting, I
suggest you carefully read the different articles below about soap making. I
didn't mean to write so much but everything was important.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqH6AhsMe-HKClQJQFCIxWx1feW8YXueTlSHdicqJ3qVeLfuTGsuhH8qyZsf_Q3hJeeQ_L2sT6vx2sZRhI-VzirZRDHX6NDt2BVVMSS6CkBHORnToRfkiP9l7cpmYt3pbB2vzVNr1Eo5A/s1600/SL707609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqH6AhsMe-HKClQJQFCIxWx1feW8YXueTlSHdicqJ3qVeLfuTGsuhH8qyZsf_Q3hJeeQ_L2sT6vx2sZRhI-VzirZRDHX6NDt2BVVMSS6CkBHORnToRfkiP9l7cpmYt3pbB2vzVNr1Eo5A/s200/SL707609.JPG" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"><a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-and-how-to-make-your-own-soap.html">0 - Why and how to make your own soap? </a></span><br />
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/1-how-saponification-process.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">1 - How: the saponification process</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/2-using-caustic-soda-safety-precautions.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">2 - Using caustic soda: safety precautions</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/3-using-caustic-soda-online-calculators.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">3 - Using caustic soda: the online calculators</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/4-superfatting-your-soap.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">4 - Superfatting your soap</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/5-oil-and-other-ingredients-you-may-use.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">5 - Oil and other ingredients you may use in a soap</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/6-how-to-make-soap-equipment.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">6 - How to make soap: equipment</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/7-how-to-make-soap-tutorial.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">7 - How to make soap: tutorial </span></a><br />
<br /></div>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-72279465241803686632012-05-06T11:13:00.002+02:002012-05-06T11:15:11.135+02:00Recycling's heavy carbon footprint<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Read in that <a href="http://www.cfact.org/a/1331/Recyclings-heavy-carbon-footprint" target="_blank">article</a>:</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
"While many champion recycling as an important means of fighting global
warming (...) recycling is
actually a carbon positive process because of the energy, emissions, and
traffic generated throughout its operation."</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
I'll never say this too much: no waste at all will always be better than a recycled waste. When I buy things, the (non)packaging is one of my criterias.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
I know I haven't posted in a while but I'm preparing a series of articles about how to make soap. Be patient! </div>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-85355567049037728752012-03-30T10:37:00.001+02:002012-03-30T10:38:13.620+02:00Homemade lip balm & massage bar<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
A balm is basically made of (bee)wax and oils. Contrary to a cream, which is an emulsion, a balm is only composed of fat material and quite easy to make. It nourishes (and does not moisturize) the skin, and leave a fat protective film on the skin. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmGuE0FsiQUifn5A4_16Dv5qFsTDTt7kCFqf3VzIoDyy9UdaCszPE5fJPj5rgbkAgEo7E9LH1dEVYnvzueSoVTOBLrrsZ-wrrein_jjWgejD88dv553KD6TpH_xxKMpZbX86aWGesoNg/s1600/SL707728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmGuE0FsiQUifn5A4_16Dv5qFsTDTt7kCFqf3VzIoDyy9UdaCszPE5fJPj5rgbkAgEo7E9LH1dEVYnvzueSoVTOBLrrsZ-wrrein_jjWgejD88dv553KD6TpH_xxKMpZbX86aWGesoNg/s200/SL707728.JPG" width="200" /></a>A balm may serve as a support for active ingredients, like essential oil, for local application (<b>unguent</b>; ex: tiger balm). You can also make "<b>massage bars</b>" (1st recipe) and <b>lip balm</b>, in pot or stick (second recipe).</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
The consistency and hardness of the balm depends on the quantity of wax and solid butters (not obligatory). The quantity of wax varies between 12 to 20%; <a href="http://potionchaudron.canalblog.com/archives/2007/02/26/4143172.html" target="_blank">source</a>).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Why make homemade balm?</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Modus operandi</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Recipe 1: massage bar </u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Lip balm: recipe & recycling of an old tube</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Where to buy beewax?</u></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8854840061346409782" name="why"></a><b>Why make homemade balm?</b></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
As any homemade product, you know exactly what ingredients are used, which you can choose according to their quality (organic, coldpressed oil...) and properties.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
You can recycle your old cosmetics pots/sticks.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Homemade cosmetics are, in my opinion, particularly nice gifts to offer: they are (almost) unique, quality products, and the fact you made them with regards to a particular person increase their value.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8854840061346409782" name="modus"></a><b>Modus operandi </b></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYvbncH7xoVoiavGWUnraNYxvxyAq0fKC_ncbHH3EtLwshjKIgVIqHv1uey3TC536b_JxG1SSNbScb9mVvf8hVf47M_nYJDT7_DMNdD-F2ikgtkcvhbrPwuZW7lqD-oXhGmag5zvKOeQ/s1600/SL707709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYvbncH7xoVoiavGWUnraNYxvxyAq0fKC_ncbHH3EtLwshjKIgVIqHv1uey3TC536b_JxG1SSNbScb9mVvf8hVf47M_nYJDT7_DMNdD-F2ikgtkcvhbrPwuZW7lqD-oXhGmag5zvKOeQ/s200/SL707709.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
1 - Weigh the wax (I do it direclty in the pan) first ; since it's the ingredient with the highest melting point, put it first in the pan. The last one you'll add will be the most fragile (oil or essential oil).</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
2 - While it's melting at low heat, weigh the other ingredients. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
3 - If you use a vegetable butter, add it now (when the was has started to melt or has melted already).<br />
<br />
Add the vegetable oil; if it's a sensitive oil, you might want to add it off the heat but you'll see that wax hardens very fast. Put it back at the minimum heat until it's melted again if necessary. I recommend to add some vitamin E (antioxydant), especially if you use sensitive oils (0,2 % of the oils).</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
4 - According to what the balm is meant to, you will add - or not - essential oil, fragrance or aromatic extract. Especially essential oil should be heated (if the wax has hardened too early) as little as possible.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
5 - Make sure all the ingredients are perfectly mixed (aromatic extract tends to be...uncooperative) and pour in sticks/pots/moulds. For more information on sticks, see the last recipe below.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcI10LiAqkYldL4mdJAmKCFo3aJTyHLXhmqrlAi0jkWDQULm990ImwDSSvV3eQNLrAu0xbhhPb6V2JpJDaX8QJzFoHiWFag9gvszt4BVVspZxoArjijTyl57Iqk1U3G1gLXrwjwzuIPk/s1600/SL707712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcI10LiAqkYldL4mdJAmKCFo3aJTyHLXhmqrlAi0jkWDQULm990ImwDSSvV3eQNLrAu0xbhhPb6V2JpJDaX8QJzFoHiWFag9gvszt4BVVspZxoArjijTyl57Iqk1U3G1gLXrwjwzuIPk/s200/SL707712.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massage bars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<name="massage"><b>Recipe 1: massage bar</b></name="massage"></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihB_FH7QEjcNf_FbL2v37mxhBOhEMfRfNqntltyj-DqqT1QjHfZGd35_3pS5ARk3qYlGgrCBo3nw7VRibDmCpPK_6gSR-sjsJNFa0iKUgyo1T1-52PzwM8Xp7HLw4t0ER5HJOh9C1tFC0/s1600/SL707729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihB_FH7QEjcNf_FbL2v37mxhBOhEMfRfNqntltyj-DqqT1QjHfZGd35_3pS5ARk3qYlGgrCBo3nw7VRibDmCpPK_6gSR-sjsJNFa0iKUgyo1T1-52PzwM8Xp7HLw4t0ER5HJOh9C1tFC0/s200/SL707729.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
- Beewax 12 %</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
- Olive oil 78 %</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
- Maïzena 9 % (optional, I added it so the consistency is a bit less greasy).</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
- Lavandin essential oil 1 % </div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
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<b>You have to be very careful when using essential oils; most of them are forbidden for pregnant women and children.</b></div>
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Here I used lavandin which is relaxing, perfect for a massage.</div>
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I use a scale with 0,1 g precision; if you just have an electronic kitchen scale, it works too, but you'll have to adapt the recipe and/or make bigger quantities.</div>
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Be careful not to make lumps when adding maïzena. Mix carefully. I used a strainer</div>
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You can pour in a pot or in a mould (when it's cold, put in the freezer, it's easier to unmold).</div>
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<name="lip"><b>Lip balm: recipe & recycling of an old tube</b></name="lip"></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PSZyyXesu9fDNmYZs-zkKl4gZ5NlpjDYpwWn1w2oDj26lVCITphgkHJH_grf53O1QO77qbs7vGrLf9Up2ZL2GvP1uDcKZJcIUDzlCScL5JicXjgDSRRvANJQwIermevTSVXde5xEn_w/s1600/SL707725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PSZyyXesu9fDNmYZs-zkKl4gZ5NlpjDYpwWn1w2oDj26lVCITphgkHJH_grf53O1QO77qbs7vGrLf9Up2ZL2GvP1uDcKZJcIUDzlCScL5JicXjgDSRRvANJQwIermevTSVXde5xEn_w/s200/SL707725.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
- Beewax 11 %</div>
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- Cocoa butter 21 %</div>
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- Honey (moisturizing) 11 %</div>
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- Olive oil 54 %</div>
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- Apricot aromatic extract 3 %</div>
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1 - If you reuse an old lip balm tube, make sure to wash it as well as possible. I'm saying "as well" because it's not always possible to disassemble it (I broke two last week...).</div>
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2 - Most of those old tubes have a hole you need to fill with scotchtape (the most difficult part, in my opinion...).</div>
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3 - <b>Very important information </b>about how to pour the balm in the tube:</div>
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- First, the hole you can see on the picture must be at the very bottom of the tube and you <b>MUST NOT </b>touch it until the balm has completely hardened.</div>
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- Even with the tape, there is a risk of leakage (yes, I know it...now). Start by just pouring a little bit of balm and wait (1-2 minutes) until it has hardened; proceed the same way again until you think it's safe to fill the tube to the top.</div>
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NB: you can see on the first picture that the pan I use has a pouring spout. It's really easier to make balm in tube.</div>
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4 - As I said, do not try to move the tube up until it's ready. Wait until it's cold and put it in the freezer for at least to hours, or a whole night at room temperature.</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8854840061346409782" name="buy"></a><b>Where to buy beewax?</b><br />
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If there is a farmer market or a honey producer in your town you can contact him; he certainly has plenty of it. You can find a list of honey producers in Norway <a href="http://www.bondensmarked.no/manufacturers.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
I heard you also might be able to buy it at the pharmacy in Norway.<br />
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Otherwise you can find it on the internet. Here are some of the websites I know but if you leave in another country I'm totally sure you can easily find another seller. No need to import from overseas a product you can pretty much find everywhere.<br />
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Norway: <a href="http://www.sunvita.no/" target="_blank">http://www.sunvita.no/</a><br />
France: <a href="http://www.aroma-zone.com/" target="_blank">http://www.aroma-zone.com/</a><br />
Sweden: <a href="http://www.crearome.se/" target="_blank">http://www.crearome.se/</a> <br />
<br /></div>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-16319293388913654442012-03-22T15:49:00.001+01:002012-03-22T15:49:54.778+01:00Eco-take care of your skin, that's easy & cheap<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPlAowUUenqM3bz_WqoPp3bOB1U5H7lHCalHTHff1kopHPDV_mumU-nINGCNdWBGFogLEXP0bIeKzVzl-TSk67FJIWmLVT3oMJbIhf8gv_0rZ_MmS8Sr13x0fmVr70F4FlWTAXbjxSrY/s1600/SL707695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPlAowUUenqM3bz_WqoPp3bOB1U5H7lHCalHTHff1kopHPDV_mumU-nINGCNdWBGFogLEXP0bIeKzVzl-TSk67FJIWmLVT3oMJbIhf8gv_0rZ_MmS8Sr13x0fmVr70F4FlWTAXbjxSrY/s200/SL707695.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Oil is your best friend! (see below)</b></i></td></tr>
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Are you sick of using creams you don't understand half of the ingredients (usually not a good sign), and which your skin does not seem to appreciate? Here are easy solutions to replace them.</div>
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You can first decide to buy organic cosmetics, but since it's rather expensive I understand why many people give up. But at least you know that stuff you put on your skin are healthy. </div>
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You can also decide to make your own cosmetics yourself ; it is not that hard to find raw material but it doesn't mean it's easy to to make a high quality cream. That requires knowledge on your type of skin, on the ingredients you use, on chemistry (a cream is an emulsion) and on hygiene precautions. The great advantage is that you know exactly what's in it and choose the ingredients according to what you really need.</div>
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On this blog I will only speak of easy stuff to make, like lip balm for example. But as regards skin care, I like simplicity, which is the easiest solution to do without unhealty creams.</div>
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<u><b>Organic oil is your best friend!</b></u></div>
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Every cream is made of an emulsion of water and oil (check the ingredients in your cream). Water is important for moisturizing while oil nourish the skin. The proportion of water/oil varies according the skin type a cream is designed for... but the easiest is not to use water at all, and that's what I do.</div>
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<b>Oil can replace cream</b></div>
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I don't use cream but just oil. <b>Oil just nourishes but also forms a protection barrier that retain water inside your skin.</b> So if you drink enough water you can totally use only a good quality food oil for use skin. Even oily skins can do that, it's just a matter of choosing the right one.</div>
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First of all that's very important to choose a <b>cold pressed oil</b> (the oil's properties were preserved), and if possible an organic oil (way cheaper than any organic cream you can find!). Do not use a oil you wouldn't eat. An oil gone bad or even a fresher one but sensitive to oxidation may give you blackheads.</div>
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That's why olive oil is such a fantastic oil; it's good enough for all skin, at least as a base and it is not sensitive to oxidation. Same for apricot kernel oil that can be used for oily skins. Other oils also have other properties like anti aging, anti eczema, and so on. </div>
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NB: if you don't like the smell, especially for olive oil, add a drop of some aromatic extract.</div>
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Essential oil is not necessarily a good idea, don't use on your eyes; it may be dangerous for pregnant women and children. </div>
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<b>Use oil as make-up remover</b></div>
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<b>The more oil there is in make-up remover, the more efficient it is</b>; so why bother buying some when all you need is...oil! </div>
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Use oil on a pad or as a massage on your face. It's very gentle and very efficient.</div>
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You can also very easily make yourself a biphasic make up remover: half oil, half floral water ; just shake before use.</div>
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For those who use the "layering method" (make-up remover - soap - lotion - cream), you can totally use organic food oil for the first step.</div>
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NB: I wash my face with homemade soap, which is quite gentle but still have a high Ph. But I use right after a lotion which is a mix with floral water and organic cider vinegar (low Ph; compensate for the soap's Ph); and finally I use some olive oil with aprikot kernel oil.</div>
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<b>Easy peeling with oil and salt</b></div>
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Mix a bit of thin salt with oil, wait a few minutes and use as a peeling. That's the mildest/easiest peeling ever. Very quick to make, and very easy to adapt (use less salt/more oil if you have a sensitive skin).</div>
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NB: As a body peeling you can use...coffee grounds after your morning coffee!</div>
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<b>Face-pack recipe</b> (<a href="http://www.lessentieldejulien.com/2011/09/recette-video-un-masque-a-largile-pour-peaux-sensibles/" target="_blank">Source</a>)</div>
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- 1-2 tbsp white clay (good for sensitive skin)</div>
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- 1 tbsp oil </div>
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- optional: 2 drop of carefully chosen essential oil</div>
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Carefully mix and then add a few drops of floral water or water until you have a thick/creamy consistency.</div>
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Apply a thick layer on your face and wait for 15 mn.</div>
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<b>Some interesting links</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.cosmetic-check.com/" target="_blank">Check your cosmetics</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.penntybio.com/cosm/guide-cosmetox.pdf" target="_blank">Greenpeace guide on cosmetics, in French </a>(I can't find the English version, that's too bad!)</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/forbrukerradet?sk=app_232823706764844" target="_blank">Hormonsjekk </a>(no)</div>
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<a href="http://gronnhverdag.no/nor/Klaer-Hudpleie/Hudpleie/Tester" target="_blank">Kosmetikktester</a>, Grønn Hverdag (no)</div>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-12654125510217463222012-03-10T14:48:00.000+01:002012-03-10T15:48:49.526+01:00How to recycle a fleece jacket?<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Fleece is a very useful material and there are many things you can turn an old jacket into, like make up pads (<a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/03/ecologicalreusable-make-up-pads.html" target="_blank">see previous article</a>), baby wipes, dusters and so on.</div>
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Every piece of fleece is reusable, so the first step is to remove all the threads. It's even more interesting because where the fleece was folded (hemline) or inside the pocket, the fabric has remained very soft, perfect to use on the skin. I think, other parts, more "exposed" are still soft enough.</div>
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You might see the different textures by clicking on the picture.</div>
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Once the fleece is ready, there is nothing easier: you just have to cut the shape you want, and it's done. Small squares for <b>facial pad</b>s, bigger pieces for <b>baby wipes</b>...or <b>duster</b>.</div>
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I didn't expect it the first time I tried but fleece is a very efficient dust catcher. As efficient, maybe more than <b>microfiber cloth</b>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1_dJaaE-nY9c_gnp0aag46or4x9tbxJvoSgtFgWYWL93n3ft2g-M-tRoeEnt4cjAsmzo-UBnmBD35OwaUwo1Efx8JyDVzoYd2Dx1lG5PNgsgmmccmJT6Uc3i48Gn-0F_GXGfYKhAsOY/s1600/SL707689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1_dJaaE-nY9c_gnp0aag46or4x9tbxJvoSgtFgWYWL93n3ft2g-M-tRoeEnt4cjAsmzo-UBnmBD35OwaUwo1Efx8JyDVzoYd2Dx1lG5PNgsgmmccmJT6Uc3i48Gn-0F_GXGfYKhAsOY/s200/SL707689.JPG" width="200" /></a>That's why I use it to clean the floor too. I cut a long rectangle so I can tie it on my special broom. It's more efficient than our vacuum cleaner that just blows the dust away, and we use no electricity for the same effort.</div>
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Before that I used microfiber cloth(left picture); same efficiency but I must say I
like the fleece better, and it's also cheaper than to buy microfiber. I
had also knitted a cloth with a special stitch (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8fciWvAKx8" target="_blank">fur stitch</a>)(right picture) so it could grab dust but my fleece cloth are easier to wash.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6xgiXE3q72XH4eUfkayAWjltQkSsc8vsTtMEzS-rXnVa2OM23FE_jhdw5uJR6AmN7br4N9yYOycge1ElKn5QenAbqleK0S7xp8Yb16NCp99GEUNijZXichyHkpDXN8CI6BW6yfHhPzE/s1600/SL707688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6xgiXE3q72XH4eUfkayAWjltQkSsc8vsTtMEzS-rXnVa2OM23FE_jhdw5uJR6AmN7br4N9yYOycge1ElKn5QenAbqleK0S7xp8Yb16NCp99GEUNijZXichyHkpDXN8CI6BW6yfHhPzE/s200/SL707688.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQVlDwVP71GS7SXpOBrgBuSvCwjMYVANH2_9tz7hKTX8QZqKi4V9DIadXOGUNhnE1pIQ3OEdnJu9NvA6TcIa0htv_lQoBIOS0wgB5YX4ePk9ibDXhqJSHDQLgKPPyHQjrkttE0ZjnWBw/s1600/SL707687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQVlDwVP71GS7SXpOBrgBuSvCwjMYVANH2_9tz7hKTX8QZqKi4V9DIadXOGUNhnE1pIQ3OEdnJu9NvA6TcIa0htv_lQoBIOS0wgB5YX4ePk9ibDXhqJSHDQLgKPPyHQjrkttE0ZjnWBw/s200/SL707687.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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It's an easy way to both recycle an old jacket, save money and produce less waste. I didn't have any jacket to recycle so I bought a second hand one at Fretex, the biggest/cheapest I could find. I can still provide for entire families ;)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBhn3ddCEFgw_9tyBhdQHlFMzXyLKP_hU5glNgBcADECanT5vGZrNNPrZnkvRWSbP7MgGO39SwVZs4HKNhBP5e1u2k6Cpf2rxKq9Jxuc5HDgo5knzKZktyycoN7lcm978dKSfKuw1paY/s1600/SL707682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBhn3ddCEFgw_9tyBhdQHlFMzXyLKP_hU5glNgBcADECanT5vGZrNNPrZnkvRWSbP7MgGO39SwVZs4HKNhBP5e1u2k6Cpf2rxKq9Jxuc5HDgo5knzKZktyycoN7lcm978dKSfKuw1paY/s200/SL707682.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8854840061346409782.post-75418583369426769862012-03-07T13:47:00.000+01:002012-03-10T15:49:20.202+01:00Ecological/reusable make up pads<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<b>Cotton growing</b> is one of the most polluting cultivation in the world. 2,5 % of cultivated areas on earth are used in that purpose. It seems to be much but it is nothing compared to the quantity of pesticides used: <b>24% of all the pesticides used in the world</b>, to which one may add herbicides and fertilizer.</div>
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Because of this heavy ecological impact and human victims of cotton growing it is very important to look for <b>alternatives for all throwable cotton-made items such as make-up pads, diapers, baby wipes, Q-tips, feminine protection</b> and so on.</div>
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Buying organic-cotton items is a good start but as any thowable items that need to be replaced again and again, it requires more and more ressources.</div>
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I have already given <b><a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/02/reducesuppress-waste-in-bathroom.html" target="_blank">reusable alternatives</a></b> to <b><a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/02/menskopp-feminine-and-environmental.html" target="_blank">sanitary towels and tampons</a> and to Q-tips</b>. Today is all about make-up pads.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaO05mt9jGsQWKJkbdzsj5E4cgWwior6YWKfN4bvN7UWLMpOm2D-Rck1MMXQQm3ryppj_YhCTdf88utmizrwYu_2eiAK42TiO7u2C648UMATz1rTb9s0kGJeZ6zS68YOZArwFVtP-9G4/s1600/SL707673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfaO05mt9jGsQWKJkbdzsj5E4cgWwior6YWKfN4bvN7UWLMpOm2D-Rck1MMXQQm3ryppj_YhCTdf88utmizrwYu_2eiAK42TiO7u2C648UMATz1rTb9s0kGJeZ6zS68YOZArwFVtP-9G4/s200/SL707673.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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I made - or to be more precise I knitted - some pads for christmas to offer with home-made make-up remover. I used <b>cotton yarn</b> I had found in a second-hand shop. If you were to buy it new, rather buy organic with regards to the first paragraph of this article. For pads made with non-organic cotton wash them before use so as to cleanse out all the chemicals (the same applies to new clothes, especially child clothes, underwears and bedsheets). </div>
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Cotton yarn is soft enough on the skin and if you know how to knit it's really not complicated.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNI3-g3yim65_YElnuJE59WvcrPS3WzQRmbf0MTUINU1KbA9p2UsjnEQ48leEzOyp0piV2DsMPUdFE2z1LivWewT6hKMJ71RbxYP3M09sly7hLx74ZmZAk1L9jZNLfw68joycH1pi9eo/s1600/SL707674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNI3-g3yim65_YElnuJE59WvcrPS3WzQRmbf0MTUINU1KbA9p2UsjnEQ48leEzOyp0piV2DsMPUdFE2z1LivWewT6hKMJ71RbxYP3M09sly7hLx74ZmZAk1L9jZNLfw68joycH1pi9eo/s200/SL707674.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Another solution is to use <b>fleece</b>. You just have to cut squares and that's it (no wild wires); it's even softer than cotton on the skin. If you reuse an old fleece jacket for example, it's even more economical.</div>
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Once you've made your pads, you don't need to buy some more so you save money.</div>
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A piece of advice when washing them in the washing machine: put them in a net or a sock so you won't find them stuck where they shouldn't be.<br />
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See also:<br />
- <a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/02/reducesuppress-waste-in-bathroom.html" target="_blank">Reduce/suppress waste in the bathroom</a><br />
- <a href="http://thegreentouch.blogspot.com/2012/02/menskopp-feminine-and-environmental.html" target="_blank">Menstrual cup, feminine and environmental revolution</a> </div>
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<br /></div>The Green Touchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13272462850462851879noreply@blogger.com0