Non-food Archives - One Girl and her Thermie

Gingerbread Body Scrub

With all the Christmas cookies, cakes, and other treats everywhere during the holiday season, it’s nice to give a homemade gift that’s not actually food. Though the ingredients in this recipe can be found in your kitchen, this Gingerbread Body Scrub is a perfect way to look after dry and tired skin. The added bonus, it smells and feels delicious!

There is something about the holiday season that I want to immerse myself in completely. It’s getting colder and darker, every day. The spirit of Christmas is around the corner and one of the things that keeps me in high spirits is enjoying the festive season to the fullest. This Gingerbread Body Scrub is not only great for the skin during these cold, dry winter months but with all these spices that emulate Christmas, which means that you can enjoy the scent all day long.

Ingredients:

220g granulated sugar
170g brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
1 teaspoon ginger, ground
1 teaspoon all spice, ground
1 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
60g coconut oil, melted
30g almond or apricot kernel oil
storage jar

Recipe:

Place granulated and brown sugar, vanilla and spices into TM bowl and mix 20 seconds, speed 3, Reverse blade
Weigh and combine the oils in a small dish on the TM lid.
Set TM to 1 minute, speed 3, Reverse blade, MC off and while blades are moving, slowly pour in oils until well combined.
Scoop out the sugar scrub into a wide-rimmed sealable jar.

Disclaimer – Thermomix® is a cooking appliance intended to be only used for food preparation.

However, the recipes here are things I do with my own Thermomix. I also have multiple Thermomixes and TM bowls, so I can safely use separate bowls for making these without any cross-contamination. I also clean the bowls thoroughly with soap, then vinegar, and finally run it through the dishwasher to ensure that it is thoroughly clean before making a food recipe in my bowl. If in any doubt, don’t make them.

Coffee Face Scrub

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Scrubbing the face with coffee grounds can help to clear away dead skin cells and unclog the pores. The chlorogenic acids in coffee may also reduce inflammation and protect against some strains of bacteria. This coffee face scrub is a brilliant recipe.

With all this free time spent at home in quarantine, I’ve been looking for completely natural ways to recreate some of my favourite products. I love using face exfoliators and there are some great 100 percent natural and sustainable ones out there on the market. However, for love or money, I can’t get down to my local Boots or Lush (who doesn’t love Lush), so it’s time to get creative in the kitchen. Again.

If you’re a coffee lover, the idea of using precious coffee beans in a body scrub might shock you, but give this DIY product a shot—you’ll be glad you did!

How to make a DIY Coffee Scrub

Thanks to Taste of Home blog for providing the background and recipe for this one.

Coffee Benefits for Skin

The sand-like texture of coffee grounds makes a great exfoliant in homemade scrubs. The grounds work to gently remove dead skin cells, which helps to rejuvenate and boost circulation. (Hello, youthful, glowing, silky-smooth skin!) Exfoliants can also plump and tighten, helping to temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite.

I’m including the Thermomix and non-Thermomix method so everyone can benefit.

Ingredients:

80g medium coarsely ground coffee (fresh, if possible)
40g coconut oil
40g vitamin E oil
3 to 5 drops CBD oil (optional)

Recipe:

Weigh coffee into TM bowl and then grind for 30 seconds, speed 6.
Add coconut oil and heat 2 minutes, 50 degrees, speed 3 to combine.
If adding CBD oil, add and then mix 10 seconds, speed 3.
Decant into and bowl and use.
Gently apply and massage into the skin in circular, upward motions for three minutes.
Rinse with water and pat dry.

Disclaimer – Thermomix® is a cooking appliance intended to be only used for food preparation.

Liquid Soap

Leave a Comment / Non-food

Making liquid soap from a bar is a simple life hack that takes substantially less time and uses fewer tools and ingredients than you think.

You can stretch a single bar of soap into a few bottles of liquid suds using a quick DIY process. Making liquid soap from a bar is a simple life hack that takes substantially less time and whilst ‘liquid soaps’ may be harder to find in the supermarkets there are plenty of bar soaps in stores. All it takes is around 10 minutes of prep time, a few supplies, and you’re ready to make your first batch.

Thank you to one of my Thermomix customers for sending me this recipe from the wonderful Petra of The Road to Loving my Thermomix.

Ingredients:

120g soap bar, cubed
1200g of water

Recipe:

Blitz soap bar on speed 5, slowly working up to speed 8 until fine.
Melt at 80 degrees, speed 2 for 2 minutes or until melted. Some people find they need to increase the temp and speed slightly. If its not melting increase to 90 degrees, speed 3. Add a little of the water to help the process.
Continue to mix at 80 degrees, speed 2 whilst pouring water slowly in to the bowl through the hole in the lid.
Continue to mix for 2 mins or until nice and smooth.
It will look like milky water. Don’t panic like I did. I almost threw it out thinking I put too much water in.
Pour into a big bowl.
Now leave it for the day.
As time goes on it thickens. Just keep giving it a stir every hour or so. Its not essential to stir hourly, just regularly.
I bottled mine after approximately 12 hours. Keep any extra in a bottle in a cool dark spot until needed.
If you find it’s too thick just pop it back into the TM Bowl and blitz on speed 8 for 30-60 secs. That will smooth it out again.
Thin with a little water if needed

Disclaimer – Thermomix® is a cooking appliance intended to be only used for food preparation.

Homemade hand sanitiser

Ingredients:

833g isopropyl alcohol (99%)
38g hydrogen peroxide (3%)
14g glycerin
115g water
A few drops of essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

Add the isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and glycerin to the mixing bowl of your Thermomix. Mix the ingredients together for 20 seconds at speed 4.
Slowly add the water to the mixing bowl, mixing the ingredients together for another 20 seconds at speed 4.
If desired, add a few drops of essential oil to the mixture, and mix everything together for a final 10 seconds at speed 4.
Pour the hand sanitizer into clean bottles with pump dispensers or spray caps, and label them with the date and contents. Make sure the bottles are tightly sealed and store them in a cool, dry place.

That’s it! You can now use your homemade hand sanitizer as needed.

Disclaimer – Thermomix® is a cooking appliance intended to be only used for food preparation.

This recipe was converted from the article in the Independent online article, CORONAVIRUS: HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN HAND SANITISER, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS.

How to make Easter Eggs using natural food dyes

Leave a Comment / Basics, Dairy, Non-food, Poultry, Vegan & Vegetarian

The egg, an ancient symbol of new life, has been associated with pagan festivals celebrating spring. From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and resurrection. However, real eggs continue to be used in Central and Eastern European traditions. Although eggs, in general, were a traditional symbol of fertility and rebirth, in Christianity, for the celebration of Eastertide, Easter eggs symbolize the empty tomb of Jesus, from which Jesus resurrected.

The practice of coloring Easter eggs is very much alive in Poland today as well as enjoyed by Polish people all over the world. There are several techniques for making ‘pisanki including the use of wax flowing from a pipe or funnel, producing richly ornamented designs or the etching of designs onto a previously colored egg. The geometric and floral patterns or the animal and human images produced reveal a high level of craftsmanship and artistry.

The pisanki derive from an ancient tradition when eggs, the symbol of life, were endowed with magical properties and were thought to ensure both a plentiful harvest and good health. The name Pisanki comes from the Polish word “pisac”, which means to write.

This method to dye eggs using natural foods is definitely one for the bucket list this Easter and very easy to prepare using your Thermomix. Super fun times for the whole family. I love colouring Easter eggs and until recently I always used to buy these little food colouring tablets in my local supermarket. This year I decided to go a little more natural and try something different. I am so impressed with the results of Thermomix natural Easter egg dye and I can only recommend you try it for yourself. It is a great way to make use of leftover vegetables and scraps that you would have otherwise chucked away. There are so many colours you can make but I have listed my favourites and also included a method below for you. When you’re done with the big Easter egg hunt, simply use up the leftover boiled eggs to make my tasty Egg salad.

On the Saturday before Easter Sunday, Poles paint hard-boiled eggs (called pisanki) and then have them blessed. I’m not sure given the current status of lockdown if we can go to church but we’ll be sending our prayers around the world. Happy Easter.

Lemon Concentrate Cleaner

2 Comments / Non-food

This lemon concentrate cleaner is a beauty. First written on the Thermomix UK website when I bought my TM31 back in 2009, it’s been lost in the archives and I’m here to revive it.

Lemon contains both acidity found in the juice along with grease-cutting oil within its skin, combined to create a superb cleaning companion. The acid in lemons is also antibacterials and antiseptic and acts as a natural bleach. The citrus smell of lemon is refreshing and invigorating. Oils in the rinds help the clean and shine. With salt, you can throw away many of the harsh, chemical-based products under your sink or in your cleaning cupboard.

But there’s just one caveat to bear in mind. While lemons and lemon juice can do a great job with many household chores, it is not a disinfectant. In other words, it is not a good substitute for bleach or related products when you are actually trying to remove dangerous microbes from cooking surfaces. Because food safety is important, be sure to hang onto appropriate cleaning products and use them as needed.

Uses include cleaning copper bottom pots and pans, countertops, drains, glass cleaning, fridge freshener, microwaves, cheese graters, wood cleaner, etc. Of course, I use it to clean my TM bowl too. This homemade lemon cleaner is acidic and can be used to clean countless things in your home.

Disclaimer – Thermomix® is a cooking appliance intended to be only used for food preparation.

However, the recipes here are using food ingredients – lemon, salt, water, vinegar I also have multiple Thermomixes and TM bowls, so I can safely use separate bowls for making these without any cross-contamination. If in any doubt, don’t make them.

Thermomix Soy Candles

2 Comments / Non-food

I first made these Thermomix soy candles after reading the amazing blog by Petra at The Road to Loving my Thermomix. I love the versatility of what I can make in my Thermomix.

Who doesn’t love decorating their home or apartment with a beautiful candle? They add warmth and light to every space and just generally make your home feel cozier. The only problem? They don’t last forever and can be a little pricey. A lot pricey. I’m a big fan of Jo Malone or Molton Brown candles but one candle can set you back a whopping £50. Yes, £50 for one candle. So for any of us who want to have the luxury but spend a little less, there’s always a way to do it more cost-effectively.

You can make homemade candles with a few supplies and a little bit of know-how. Chances are you have a lot of the things you’ll need already at home. Another bonus of making your own candles is that you can control what goes into them. If you’re sensitive to fragrance, you can leave it out. If you’re concerned about keeping the air in your home as clean as possible, you can choose to use soy wax. Although there are many different types of candles, they all contain three main components: wax, a wick, and a container.

Wax
Wick
Container
Fragrance and color (optional)

I tend to advocate using soy wax. Soy wax is a natural, renewable resource. Soy wax is biodegradable and cleans up with plain old soap and water (again a good thing as I’m using my Thermomix to melt the wax). Soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin wax and because of this, soy candles will burn slower or longer than paraffin candles. Soy wax burns with zero petro soot, creating petro soot free candles.

Benefits of soy wax

Soy wax is derived from a vegetables, (soy beans), while it’s counter partner, paraffin wax is derived from petroleum (a refined a gasoline product).
Soy wax is a natural, renewable resource.
Soy wax is biodegradable and cleans up with plain old soap and water.
Soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin wax and because of this, soy candles will burn slower or longer than paraffin candles.
Soy wax burns with zero petro soot, creating petro soot free candles. Paraffin candles burn with petro-soot.

After making your first candle, you can get more adventurous and try making different types of candles, just be sure to choose the appropriate wax and wick for a more advanced project. Want a more personal touch? You can customize your candle even further by choosing a fragrance or essential oil to scent your candle—the variations of candles you can make are limited only by your imagination and your willingness to experiment.

From simple projects like basic container candles and votives with wick pins to more complex creations like beeswax rolled pillars and dipped taper candles, there’s no shortage of craft projects you can do with a bit of wax, a heat source, and some time.

It’s incredibly easy to make your own soy candles at home. Although it’s simple to make average candles, customizing your wax, wick, fragrance, and container choices will yield spectacular results. Not only will you save money making your own, but you can also give these beauties as gifts during the holidays (or any time!). Happy making!

N.B. The soy candles in the picture have been coloured red with food colouring and scented with a Christmas spiced essential oil, ready to be given as gifts this Christmas.

Disclaimer – Thermomix® is a cooking appliance intended to be only used for food preparation.

Vorwerk, the manufacturer of Thermomix only advocates making food items in your Thermomix. As a user, I know how versatile the Thermomix is and as a result, blog recipes like this which are non-food such as these candles, beauty products, children’s craft, etc. I also have multiple Thermomixes and multiple TM bowls, so I can safely use separate bowls for making these without any cross-contamination. The bowls do wash and I recommend a hot vinegar or lemon wash to ensure no cross-contamination of any of the ingredients, but if in any doubt, don’t make them.

Chocolate Body Scrub

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Want to make an awesome gift this holiday season? This Chocolate Coconut Body Scrub takes ingredients you likely already have on hand in your kitchen and turns them into a deliciously scented body scrub that leaves your skin moisturized and smooth. It uses only 4 ingredients and takes less than 5 minutes to make and is a great, inexpensive gift for the holiday season! I have been leaving my jar next to my kitchen sink and it’s a game-changer! Soft, moisturized, exfoliated skin!

As the winter creeps upon us, this means dry skin season, especially if you live in a cool climate like the UK. I’ve purchased store-bought sugar scrubs from the likes of Champneys before and loved them, but remember how easy and cheap they are to make yourself.

Most people know that coconut oil is a good moisturizer for your skin but when coupled with an exfoliant, in this case, one found in your store cupboard, it turns into a magical homemade body scrub. All you need is 5 minutes, 4 ingredients for this Chocolate Coconut Body Scrub.

This also makes a great gift to give during the holiday season, or really any time of year! The recipe makes enough for about 1 large mason jar (or 2-4 smaller ones) but can easily be doubled or tripled to give away to all your friends and family. Just put on a cute label with instructions on how to use and bring with you as an easy and inexpensive hostess gift or secret Santa!

And YES this is edible! But we don’t recommend this for anything other than a body scrub, though it certainly smells super tasty. Honestly, we love this body scrub so much that we plan to make some different variations in the near future to share with you as well. I’ll be posting more this week, so look out for them.

Disclaimer – Thermomix® is a cooking appliance intended to be only used for food preparation.

However, the recipes here are using food ingredients – sugar, spices, coconut oil, food colouring etc. which I do cook with so I am happy to make ‘beauty’ products using my Thermomix. I also have multiple TM bowls, so I can safely use separate bowls for making these without any cross-contamination. If in any doubt, don’t make them.

Citrus Body Scrub

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It’s been a long, long winter this year in the UK and my skin needs a bit of a pick me up. If you have skin that feels rough and dry, then this fresh citrus body scrub is the scrub for you.

The ingredients are all natural and individually all have their own benefits:

Lemon. Ellen Marmur, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center (in New York), confirmed that lemon juice can, in fact, be useful as a natural deodorant because the citric acid in it kills bacteria and odour.

Lime’s ability to combat armpit sweat is due to its acidity. The acid in the lime juice helps reduce sweat production and can work as a natural deodorant. Additionally, limes have strong antibacterial properties.

Rock and pink salt is rich in minerals and has excellent cleansing properties, making a great exfoliating ingredient.

Disclaimer – Thermomix® is a cooking appliance intended to be only used for food preparation.

However, the recipes here are using food ingredients – sugar, spices, coconut oil, food colouring etc. which I do cook with so I am happy to make ‘beauty’ products using my Thermomix. I also have multiple TM bowls, so I can safely use separate bowls for making these without any cross contamination. If in any doubt, don’t make them.