The search for naturally-flavored egg nog

I generally prefer natural flavors, since the artificial flavors often taste so fake-y (and I've had the misfortune to get sick a couple of times after ingesting artificial flavors -- although I do not know if the flavors were to blame). But finding natural egg nog around where we live is really hard (I know I could make it myself, but I'm afraid that I'll make myself sick with the raw eggs). Last year I found some all-natural organic and around Thanksgiving I found some pumpkin egg nog that had no artificial flavors.

But last time I was at the store all I could find was artificially flavored (including a kind that had artificial molasses - why did the company go to that trouble?). I finally settled on some boiled custard that was on special because it was about to expire -- it was artificially flavored, but at least it cost 1/2 to 1/3 as much as the egg nog!

At the same store, they were having a special on frozen sherbet and low-fat frozen yogurt (a $1 a box!). The peach low-fat frozen yogurt, unlike the sherbet, was naturally flavored and I picked that.

I have not had frozen yogurt much since the late 80's or early 90's when a relative went through a low-fat, low-cholesterol spell and would only serve low-fat ice cream or yogurt.

I should have remembered I wasn't a big fan. The peach yogurt was OK but not splendid.

And, as it turned out, the boiled custard was also OK, but not great.

But, take some of the peach frozen yogurt and pour the boiled custard over it? That's really, really good!

Since the boiled custard was about to expire, I also tried taking some of the boiled custard and mixing it with a spoon with the peach yogurt and freezing it. It won't freeze hard and I couldn't get it to fully mix together, but it tastes excellent. I also tried making a smoothie with non-fat milk made from dry milk powder, boiled custard, and the peach yogurt. I still couldn't get it smooth, but it tasted really good that way too!

I'm sure that if I had a blender I could mix it much better. (If I let the yogurt melt more, I could have mixed it better too, but I know that sherbet will not refreeze well and was not sure that the yogurt would either).

I don't know that I would go out of my way to purchase frozen yogurt and boiled custard to mix, but if it ever happened that I ended up with the ingredients, I would be happy to try the experiment again!

And, by the way, I will go on searching for natural egg nog!

Update: Eventually the custard/yogurt mix got really hard -- so hard the spoon would bend as I'd try to get it out!

Deadlines

I have a looming deadline, and as is my habit, I am running around making deodorant (I couldn't find the recipe, which was written on a Talbot's sale postcard, so I had to recreate it with the help of Google and then post it so I wouldn't forget it again), scrubbing a tub, cleaning out my junk email box (and seeing all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals I missed), doing laundry, trying to decide what to order for presents from American Science and Surplus, sewing crafts, working on a project that may need to be finished in 2010, and, oh yeah, blogging.

As you can probably tell, only a little of this has to do with the deadline.

Homemade Deodorant

Here is my variation on Angry Chicken's Homemade Deodorant Recipe:

2 1/2 tbsp. cocoa butter (the original calls for a mix of shea and cocoa butter, but I have cocoa on hand)
1 1/2 tbsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. corn starch

A little bit of some kind of oil

Melt together in the microwave (the first time I made it, I added the oil before melting; the second time after melting the first three ingredients). I didn't have any vitamin E oil, so I used a couple of drops of olive oil the first time I made it. In warm weather, the stick worked fine, but became a little hard to rub on in when winter came. When I made it again earlier today, I used a fairly generous dash -- maybe 1/2 - 3/4 tsp. -- of baby oil (I know that mineral oil is considered evil in some circles, but it was what I had on hand).

After making sure it is not too hot, pour into an old deodorant stick tube. Put in refrigerator or cold room until it hardens.

The original calls for essential oil. The closest thing I had was tuberose perfume made with essential oil, but I was reusing an Old Spice container and I thought that would clash smell wise. (Besides, I have sensitive skin and if I had put in the perfume and had an allergic reaction, I wouldn't have known whether it was to the deodorant or the perfume.) Since I used baby oil that was scented the second time, I once again opted not too use any.

The microwave that I was using doesn't seem to be very accurate with its timer. I watched it and removed it when it looked melty. I would estimate that I melted it about 45 seconds with the first step, then maybe 30 seconds after adding the oil, but I didn't time it with a watch. Just keep an eye on it, because you do not want it to burn.

And, yes, it does work for me (otherwise I wouldn't have made a second batch) and it leaves skin nice and soft.


Update:

The additional oil did make it much easier to rub on (although in summer I may need to make a batch with less oil, as it could be too soft in hot weather).

It occurred to me that I perhaps could substitute baby powder or body powder for the corn starch (the ingredients in Johnson's baby powder are cornstarch plus vitamin E and aloe vera; the body powder that I have has more different ingredients). So, I may try that next time since I do have some powder sitting around and not being used very fast.