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koraki-grimoire · 3 years ago

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Laws of Candle Care

Candles, while popular in religion and magik, are rarely properly cared for. Many who use them don't even know how to take care of them. And when you don't take care of your candles, especially candles used for divination, you use them up much quicker and get a lot of false responses.

This guide is important for anyone who burns or wants to burn candles, regardless of how much you think you know.

Vocabulary

There are many, many types of candles. This isn't anywhere near all, but the four kinds you should be aware of:

Tealights: (small, round candles, usually about an inch in diameter)

Pillars: (freestanding cylindrical candles of varying sizes)

Container candles: (candles poured directly in a container--includes prayer candles, which are tall glass pillars)

Tapers: (Tall, thin candles that stand in holders--includes chimes, which are miniature tapers)

Wick: The string, wood, etc. in the center of a candle that you light. Usually a cotton string coated with wax.

Hugging the edges: The process where the outer edges of a partly melted candles are pushed in to extend burn time.

Burn time: The amount of time it takes a candle to burn out when properly maintained and/or the amount of time a candle is being burned

Double boiler method: Heating wax in a pot inside another pot of water. This prevents it from catching fire or burning.

General

Location: Burn candles at least 1 foot from other flammable materials. Never burn a candle directly under anything--candles need at least a meter/yard of space above them to burn safely. Be careful when burning candles on a desk or near other candles. If burning a non-container candle, make sure it's on a heatproof surface like a plate to catch wax.

Wicks: Always trim your wick to 1/4 inch before burning, no exceptions. Wick trimmings should be removed from the candle, not left to accumulate in the pool.

Holders: Use a properly sized holder. This is a holder that the candle can sit in the bottom of, but will not shake or fall if lifted.

Burning: Not all candles can burn unattended. In fact, very few can. Always assume that you can't let a burning candle out of your sight. The main exceptions to this are container candles, but even so, not all container candles can burn alone. Prayer candles are designed to burn continuously, but still require clear, safe space, and should be checked on.

Melting: The first time you burn any candle, you must allow the wax to melt up to the edge of the candle before extinguishing it. Ideally, you'd allow this pool to reach the edge every single time. If you don't, the candle will tunnel, shortening its lifespan.

Extinguishing: Blow, pinch, or snuff a candle. Never use water to extinguish a candle--this makes it more likely to explode in future.

Troubleshooting

Candle wont light: Check if the wick is too short. If it is, hold a flame near the wick and pour out wax in increments until it can light.

Candle is tunneling: Burn it all the way out to the edge. You may need to manually melt the edges with a separate flame. You might also have forgotten to hug the edges.

Flame is smoking: There's a few possible reasons;

Wick is too tall: This one's easy, simply trim it.

Too long burn time: If a candle burns too long (usually 3+ hours at a time), the wick may curl or "mushroom." Extinguish and trim.

Insufficient air: Most smoking comes from a flame not having enough oxygen (which the above two can cause). This can also come if your space isn't well ventilated, or if there's wind, breezes, or other moving air.

Only one side is melting: The candle's wick is likely poorly centered, or you're burning it with one side in a hotter/colder place. You may be able to move it the wick to the middle when melted, or move the candle. Otherwise, it's usually fine to ignore on its own.

"Oh no, what do I do if my candle..."

Spills: Surround the pool with paper towels. Wait for it to cool, then pry off wax with a knife. Beeswax peels easiest. If there's still wax and it's on fabric, put paper to blot on both sides, and iron. Wash as normal.

Explodes/Cracks: If it didn't put itself out, extinguish it immediately. Clean spilled wax and, if present, glass. Do not try to re light the candle, even if the candle is still usable.

Has a curling wick: Extinguish, trim, and wait to fully solidify before burning again.

Catches something on fire: Immediately extinguish both. It's best to own and use a fire extinguisher for this, as water doesn't always work or cool it down well. Avoid blowing if at all possible, as this can feed the flame. Do not reuse the candle afterwards.

Candle FAQ

Q: How are candles made? A: It varies based on the candle! The most common method is by melting down wax in a double boiler and pouring it into a mold, or dipping string repeatedly in a vat of wax.

Q: How do you scent a candle? A: Typically, you would mix in fragrance or essential oils when the wax is melted before pouring it into a bowl.

Q: Can you put herbs in candles? A: Certainly! But please don't do this if you aren't experienced in candle care, it can be dangerous when they catch fire if you don't know what you're doing.

Q: How do you color a candle? A: You use specific wax coloring! It's very important to use colors designed for wax, because those are designed to burn safely. Things like food coloring can and will explode or ruin your candle.

Q: What kinds of candle wax are there? A: There's a few, but the three you're most likely to find are paraffin, soy, and beeswax. Paraffin is essentially plastic, making it the least ecofriendly option, but it's cheapest. Soy wax is from the soy plant, and generally fairly cheap. Beeswax burns the cleanest and longest, and is the best for the environment, but it's the most expensive. They can generally be told apart by texture if there's no label; paraffin is usually hard, flat, and bumpy, soy can be flaky and greasy, and beeswax is smooth and sometimes slightly rippled.

Candles in Magik & Divination

Chances are, if you're here, this is what you use candles for. While it's exciting to see candles doing weird things, remember you should always check for mundane reasons. Fire isn't a toy, and an oddly behaving candle can be a hazard, not just symbolic.

When doing a spell with candles, make sure anything on or around the candle(s) is safe to burn. For example, ensuring you used cotton thread or yarn to tie the candle, not adding dangerous herbs to inhale, and keeping an eye on the type of paper you're burning indoors. (Rolling paper is ideal for burning sigils.)

It's a bit disappointing to learn a "sign" was only a poorly cared for candle, but it's far worse to burn your house down over a false sign from an unsafe candle. So take care of them.

More questions? Send in a DM or ask! Feel free to add on in RBs or notes.

#candles #candle magick #candle magic #candle magik #candle witch #fire witch #magick #carromancy #ceromancy #carromankeia #fire safety #candle safety #witch tips #witchcraft #magik

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kelyon · 4 years ago

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Golden Rings 7: A Salad

The Storybrooke Sequel to Golden Cuffs

Rumple makes dinner for Mrs. Gold

Read on AO3

Cooking was a skill Rumpelstiltskin shared with Gold. In the old world, the women who’d raised him had shown him all their tricks of brewing and baking and making the most of anything on hand. They told him that a boy needed to be able to do for himself just as much as a girl would. When he’d married Millah, he’d known more recipes than she had. They’d laughed about that--during the brief time when there had been any laughter between them. Even before she left him and Bae, the task of feeding them had often fallen on him.

Once he’d gained the powers of the Dark One, Rumpelstiltskin had been able to conjure up feasts beyond imagining. He’d delighted in pulling food out of the air, grand dishes he would never have tasted as a poor spinner. But Bae had insisted that he liked the old meals better, the food his papa had made with his hands. So he had tried not to use magic for a while. For Baelfire’s sake, he had tried.

For Gold, cooking had been a necessary art. There weren’t many restaurants in Storybrooke, and their menus quickly grew tiresome. Though he could easily afford a private chef, Gold disliked the invasion of allowing another person into his home. Why should he trust some stranger in his kitchen, handling his food? Gold took pride in the self-sufficiency inherent in creating his own menus. Cooking required patience, preparation, and a deft hand--all traits he valued in himself.

And, as with most things, it was a way to flaunt his wealth. Not everyone had the time and resources to master the art of haute cuisine. Gold could spend hundreds of dollars on a set of copper crepe pans or custom-forged knives. And he would only bother with the rarest ingredients--the freshest vegetables, the leanest cuts of meat. The style of this world was to present individual bites of food on plates large enough to hold a whole dinner. At fine restaurants, a three-bite portion could cost more than a family’s weekly grocery bill.

Disparities like that amused Gold to no end. His cruel, spiteful nature liked wasting money as much as he liked having it. He would season his food with costly saffron and white truffles--and then throw half of it away, uneaten. No one in Storybrooke knew about that, of course. But Gold knew. It gave him a twisted satisfaction to compare his own extravagant asceticism with the panicked thrift of every working-class parent who looked with grateful eyes at the 99 cent kid’s meal at Chicken Little’s.

Because of course Gold had no actual appreciation for fine foods. Bastard didn’t take joy in any of his possessions or his privileges. He just liked having things that other people couldn’t afford. Things that other people wanted, and envied him for having.

Mrs. Gold came into the kitchen through the door that led out from the patio. Relying on his cane, Rumpelstiltskin had only been able to carry the box that held his dagger and the chipped cup. But his wife held a bag of groceries in each arm.

“I’ll set these down and go get the rest!”

She flounced off, an impressive feat considering the height of her heels. Belle had had difficulty the first time she’d worn shoes like that. It had been his task to teach her how to walk, how to dance. They had come to love dancing together in the ballroom of his castle. On the day of their wedding, they had danced for hours.

But in this world he was crippled again. On the night Mr. and Mrs. Gold had wed, she had danced with every man in Storybrooke except him.

Small as she was, even hobbled by her footwear, Mrs. Gold was capable of mundane tasks that would cause him agony. Whether Gold liked it or not, his life was easier with her around.

Perhaps that was why Gold liked to make her life so difficult.

When she came back to the kitchen, Mrs. Gold busied herself with the groceries and Rumpelstiltskin began to make dinner. Without thinking about it, he pulled out a drawer for a cup into which he could measure out chicken stock and wine and something called arborio rice. Gold had already planned to make risotto, and Rumpelstiltskin had no reason to object. He let Gold’s knowledge guide him through the process. On his own, he didn’t know where ingredients were or how to operate the massive hearth--no. Gold’s kitchen had no hearth, just a stove. It was powered by something called natural gas.

A twist of a knob, and Rumpelstiltskin summoned up a circle of blue flame. On top of the flame, he placed a heavy, enamel-coated saute pan. It was so clean it looked like it had never been used. But he knew it had been. This pan was one of Gold’s favorites.

Into the pan, he drizzled a stream of oil. The bottle said it was imported from Italy. Rumpelstiltskin assumed that was a marker of quality, or at least expense. He felt Gold in the back of his mind, offering up exactly how much the best extra virgin olive oil cost per ounce, not to mention the price of shipping directly from Tuscany.

Rumpelstiltskin pushed Gold away with memories of a time when even butter was an unspeakable luxury. From the time he was a boy he had learned to pour off grease and lard and meat drippings into a clay crock so it could be used again when needed. Fat had been a precious commodity in the old world. Animals didn’t have much on their flesh and people had even less. The idea of being choosy about what the grease tasted like--or even if it had gone rancid--was ludicrous.

Behind him, Mrs. Gold had the refrigerator door open and was putting away the food she had bought earlier.

“Can you hand me the chopped leeks?” Meticulous as a machine, Gold did the preparation for his meals days ahead of time. Half the glass containers in the refrigerator were full vegetables he had minced to a paste or diced into perfect uniformity.

“Yes, Mr. Gold!”

She bent at the waist to search for the container he requested. With obvious intent, she hollowed her back and stuck out her pert, round, arse. His hands itched to touch her. He wanted to squeeze that soft flesh or deliver a sharp smack against her pretty skirt. Nothing too severe. Just enough to make his wife yelp. Just enough to let her know that he was looking.

Instead, Rumpelstiltskin looked away.

Surprisingly quiet in her heels, Mrs. Gold set some food on the counter beside him.

“I got out the butterflied chicken breasts as well, Mr. Gold. Was that correct?”

“It was.” He said what Gold would say, made the menu Gold had planned. “And you’ll serve the same sauvignon blanc I’m using to make the sauce. It should all be ready in less than twenty minutes.”

“Wonderful!” She smiled like he had given her a gift. “After I put away the groceries, may I set the table for both of us?”

He heard the question inside her question. Every night, Mrs. Gold set a place for her husband at the head of the dining room table. Where she ate depended on how he felt about her on any given day.

“Yes, dear.” Rumpelstiltskin unwrapped the chicken from the butcher paper and added it to the sizzling leeks. “I want my wife close to me tonight.”

****

While Gold had control of the actual preparation of food, part of their routine was that Mrs. Gold had to plate the food and bring it to him in the dining room. It stroked Gold’s ego to be served by a beautiful woman, to have his wife at his beck and call. He got to use his power. Pretend that he was some kind of lord of the manor.

A sad little king of a sad little hill.

Rumpelstiltskin sighed as he sank into the carved wooden chair at the head of the table. Like everything else in this house, the table was an antique masterpiece, stately and dark. A red damask table runner spanned the length of it, breaking up the shine of the polished oak. Two thin tapers burned in crystal candle holders on either side of a centerpiece of silk flowers. Even with the candles, the room was an ocean of darkness.

They were soy candles. Rumpelstiltskin hated knowing that. Soy melted at a lower temperature than beeswax, so these candles were relatively cooler, more tolerable on bare skin. By the time the meal had ended, quite a pool would have melted down. Hot wax, ready to pour over a naked body, if that was what Gold decided he wanted for dessert.

He looked to his left, to the chair where Mrs. Gold would sit. Both places at the table were set with polished silver and gold-rimmed crystal goblets. Linen napkins were wrapped neatly into engraved napkin rings. The bone china plates were currently in the kitchen. Most people in Storybrooke only saw this level of grandeur at black-tie events. Like weddings.

“Here we are!” Mrs. Gold burst into the dining room with a plate in each hand. She was still wearing her high-heeled shoes. She had been wearing them all day. Didn’t her feet hurt?

Rumpelstiltskin almost stood to help her. But the second he put weight on his ankle he winced and sank back into the chair. His cane was leaning against the table’s edge. By the time he thought to grab it and stand up properly, Mrs. Gold was already placing a plate in front of him.

“Thank you for permitting me to join you, Mr. Gold. I hope you’ll find me pleasant company.” She poured some chilled white wine into his glass. Her voice wasn’t quite as bubbly as it had been earlier. She seemed more subdued, like she was trying to be seductive.

Rumpelstiltskin took a drink.

It was only when he set his wine glass down again that he noticed that Mrs. Gold’s glass was empty. She hadn’t poured anything for herself. Though she sat in a chair, her hands were placed palms-down on the table top, on either side of her plate.

Oh yes, that was a rule. She wasn’t allowed to start eating until Gold did.

“Well, then.” Rumpelstiltskin shook out his napkin and placed it in his lap before he cut into the chicken and leeks.

In the silent dining room, he heard the half-sigh that came out of Mrs. Gold. She was relieved, wasn’t she? Grateful that her husband hadn’t changed his mind about tolerating her presence.

Swallowing his first bite, Rumpelstiltskin opened his mouth to speak. But what could he say? What could he offer this woman? How could he undo the damage of twenty-eight years of living like this?

But he had to try.

He looked up at his wife. And for the first time, he paid attention to what was on her plate. There was nothing but green leaves. No chicken in white wine sauce. No pan-fried leeks. Not a single grain of risotto.

“What are you eating?”

He heard his own voice come out in a thin, deadly whisper. He gripped his fork, too tightly to be natural.

Mrs. Gold saw that. She dropped her own fork onto her plate and looked over at him with wide eyes. “I--it’s a salad, Mr. Gold.” She lowered her gaze and sat with her hands in her lap. If he concentrated, he could see her trembling.

A salad.

Of course it was. He had seen her bring it in with the other groceries, a plastic tub of pre-washed baby spinach. Cheap and easy, just like her. It was part of their routine, one of Gold’s rules. Every night for dinner, all Mrs. Gold was allowed to take for herself was a plateful of salad greens, with no dressing. Anything else she ate, he would have to expressly permit or give her himself.

Sometimes Gold liked to make her beg for every bite until she cried.

He took a breath. He didn’t speak. He willed his pulse to slow down to a reasonable pace. He kept his voice controlled. He couldn’t frighten this poor woman any more than she already was.

“I cooked two portions of chicken,” he said carefully. “I wanted you to have some as well.”

“I-I-I’m sorry, Mr. Gold.” She kept her head bowed, her whole body tense. She expected an attack, verbal if not physical. “I thought you wanted the other piece for your lunch tomorrow.”

“I want to provide for my wife.” He tried to explain, tried to keep calm, tried to keep from crying. Buried memories crashed into his head and he had to raise his voice to hear his own thoughts. “I want you to have more than just fucking leaves!”

In one instant, a thousand memories assaulted him all at once. Year after year--first as a child, then as a young man on his own, then with his son beside him. When the hungry months came upon the land and winters wore on and on. The stores left over from harvest grew smaller and smaller. And Rumpelstiltskin never had much to store away even in good times. Year upon year, he waited as the winter ebbed, but the hunger remained. Waited as they days grew longer, but the trees stayed bare. Waited until the first hints of green began to bud and grow, signalling that spring was coming and there would be something to eat again.

He had shown Bae what his father had shown him. He had taught him the ways of the woods. They had so little land for a garden, but there was always something in the Duke’s forest. He had bundled up Bae in his shawl and his cap, to go out in search of food. And every year they had found mushrooms and ramsons and Jack-by-the-hedge--anything to flavor water enough so they could call it soup. Anything to keep them going for one more day.

Bae being who he was, he had thought it a grand adventure. He had wanted to know what else in the forest could be eaten. And Rumpelstiltskin had shown him violets and wood sorrel and taught him to boil stinging nettle. But Bae was a growing boy and all the adventure in the world couldn’t fill his gnawing belly. He began to eat anything that was green, any leaf, except for those he knew were poisonous.

One day, Rumpelstiltskin had found his son in the pasture with the sheep, his mouth stained green from eating grass and clover.

To his shame, he hadn’t stopped him. He hadn’t said a word. Because Rumpelstiltskin--spinner, cripple, coward--had nothing better to give him. Because Rumpelstiltskin--useless, penniless, worthless--could not fill the belly of the child he would give his life for. The person he loved most in the world had nothing to eat except fucking leaves!

Taking his cane, he stood up quickly. Mrs. Gold flinched at the sudden movement. Rumpelstiltskin bit back a curse that would have burned down the house around them if he had any magic at all.

She started to rise, but he hobbled over to her. Plate in one hand, cane in the other, Rumpelstiltskin slid his dinner onto Mrs. Gold’s raw spinach.

“Sit down,” he ordered through clenched teeth. “Stay here. Eat that.”

“Yes, Mr. Gold,” She answered like an automaton. What was the word in this world? A robot. A toy programmed to have the same responses no matter what the owner said or did to it. Mrs. Gold was nothing but a thing. And not even a thing Gold valued enough to care for.

“Thank you, Mr. Gold.”

He went back into the kitchen without a word. He didn’t trust himself to speak.

It took the last straining threads of his self-control to keep from throwing Gold’s fine china plate against Gold’s state-of-the-art refrigerator. He should take this wretched cane and smash in the glass-fronted cabinets, destroy everything inside. All of Gold’s crystal and porcelain and the plates so thin you could see light through them--he should shatter them into splinters and shards. Rumpelstiltskin should destroy all the things Gold held so dear. Objects that mattered to him more than the woman he had married. It would feel so good to reduce his wealth to nothing and his prized possessions into rubble.

But that wouldn’t bring Belle back.

It wouldn’t undo what had already been done.

With a single breath, all the rage escaped from Rumpelstiltskin’s body. He leaned against a wall and felt himself crumple into a heap. He had just enough presence of mind to cover his mouth with his left hand. Stifle the sobs so she wouldn’t hear.

That bastard! That monster! How dare Gold do these things to Belle! Rumpelstiltskin knew his share of evil, but he still had enough humanity to be appalled that Gold would treat her this way. His most precise cruelties were reserved not for his enemies or his debtors, but his own wife! The woman he had chosen to marry, the woman whose hand he had held as he vowed to cherish and protect and love her!

But instead Gold made her starve herself. The richest man in Storybrooke took it as a point of pride that his wife barely ate. In this palace of a house, he begrudged her every inch of space. He made her feel like an intruder in the only home she had. He degraded her and insulted her and treated her like she was less than human. Worst of all, he made her think that was how he showed affection.

“Gods.” He rasped out a prayer to powers he had never believed in, deities who didn’t exist in this world. “Gods, Belle. What did I do to you?”

Because as much as he blamed Gold, as much as he hated Gold, the truth of the matter was that this was Rumpelstiltskin’s fault. He had created the curse. He had wanted to come to this horrible world. He had planned and manipulated and twisted the path of fate to his will. He had worked so hard, for centuries, to get to where he was now. He thought he had arranged it all, so that the price of this magic wouldn’t fall on him.

But the very existence of this town was a punishment. According to the one who had cast the curse, Rumpelstiltskin was due the suffering he had lived under for twenty-eight years. Being Gold was a bleak and miserable existence. And he had taken out his anger on the one person who would never leave him.

He looked down at his hands, at his wedding ring, at the scar on his palm. He had made vows to Belle. He had promised to protect her, to belong to her, to trust her with the best and the worst of himself. Like Mrs. Gold, she had a mind-boggling capacity for loving even the most vile of men. And unlike Gold, Rumpelstiltskin could not punish a woman for loving him.

It wasn’t Belle’s fault, and it wasn’t Mrs. Gold’s. The persona of Gold didn’t exist anymore. As satisfying as it was to rage at a dead man, there was no way to take Gold to task for how he had treated his wife.

And Belle would say it wasn’t his fault either. He had come to her so many times, full of worries and guilt.

Sweetheart, how can you still love me? Knowing what I’ve done and what I’ll do?

Rumple, she had assured him. This curse is a powerful weapon, but it is not in your hands anymore. You are no more culpable for what happens than a swordsmith is responsible for a duel.

Part of him didn’t believe her. He could never look at himself with the grace and mercy of Belle’s kind heart. He had created the curse, he had wanted this weapon to be used. He had placed it in the hands of a madwoman, knowing it would destroy her, knowing it would bring misery to everyone--including himself and the woman he loved.

Still, perhaps Belle was right. And perhaps, somehow, he could find a way to redeem himself for his past. Even if he could never be good enough, perhaps he could use his evil for a good purpose.

Perhaps.

When he was ready, Rumpelstiltskin pulled himself to his feet, dusted off Gold’s fancy suit, and went back into the dining room.

Mrs. Gold was still at the table, her posture rigid but her plate empty. She looked up when he came through the door. For a moment, he saw her eyes--the perfect blue rimmed with red--and then she looked away.

“I finished everything, Mr. Gold. It was delicious.”

His heart broke anew at her voice. Belle was so strong, so sure of herself, even when she faced insurmountable obstacles. Always, she would stay brave. Always, she would do the best she could with the knowledge and tools she had. In that moment, Mrs. Gold seemed just like her.

“I’m glad you liked it.” Rumpelstiltskin stayed in the doorway, both hands braced on his cane. “From now on, when I make a meal, I expect you to eat your share.”

She nodded, still an obedient creature. “Yes, Mr. Gold.”

They were silent for a moment, then Rumpelstiltskin spoke. “I want to apologize, for earlier. I should have been more direct in my desires. And I shouldn’t have let my temper get the better of me. I’m sorry.”

Mrs. Gold blinked, several times, before she spoke. “I--W--You have nothing to apologize for, Mr. Gold. You can do whatever you like.”

“I know.” Rumpelstiltskin swallowed back the bile in his throat. “And what I would like is to have a wife who is well-nourished and who doesn’t fear her husband.”

She twisted her wedding ring around her finger. “I don’t fear you, Mr. Gold. I just hate the thought of disappointing you. I never want to be less than what you deserve.”

From the beginning, Belle had always been more than he deserved. He had stopped a war to acquire her, and he would never fully pay for all the love and goodness she had given him.

But he couldn’t tell any of that to Mrs. Gold.

“I’m going for a walk,” he announced. “I need to clear my head.”

Mrs. Gold nodded and stood up. “Where should I go, while you’re out?”

In spite of himself, Rumpelstiltskin clenched his jaw. “You are allowed to stay in this house when I’m not here.”

“I--Really?” She looked more confused than pleased. “Even when I’m not tied up or anything?”

He let out a long, heavy sigh. Yes, he remembered. Gold had regularly left the house while his wife was restrained with no way to get out. There was also a dog cage in the basement where Gold would leave her on work days when he didn’t want her in the shop. It was a miracle the bastard hadn’t killed her.

“Yes,” he answered. “In fact, it’s high time you got your own key to this place. It is your home, after all.”

Slowly as the dawn, a smile lit up her face. Gods, she was so beautiful.

“Thank you, Mr. Gold!” She stood up from the table and moved to embrace him. But Rumpelstiltskin held up one hand and she stopped in her tracks.

“You can clear the table whenever you like. I’ll wash the dishes when I return.”

That was another part of Gold’s arrangement. He didn’t allow his wife to clean, because he didn’t trust her with his precious antiques. For Rumpelstiltskin, the thought of submerging Belle’s hands in dishwater like a scullery maid was an insult. Far from the worst thing she had ever been subjected to, but the principle stood. He would gladly do drudgework if it would spare his wife the labor.

“What should I do until you get back?”

He shrugged. “Something you like,” he suggested. “Something to pamper yourself.” Something to make up for the hell you’ve lived in for twenty-eight years. “You could have some of that ice cream you bought today.”

Mrs. Gold chewed at her bottom lip as she thought. “I could… take a bubble bath, maybe?”

She was asking for his permission, his approval. He gave it to her. “That’s a very good idea,” he said gently.

He pushed away the thought of his wife’s legs sticking over the edge of a bathtub. Her head leaning back as she relaxed in the steaming water. Her lovely body hidden under piles of white bubbles until she emerged like a goddess from the sea, warm and soft and scented with roses.

Rumpelstiltskin shook his head. This wasn’t his wife in front of him. Belle was gone, and it was time to confront the person who was really responsible for that.

He had to see the Queen.

#golden rings #rumbelle fic #rumbelle #ouat

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dfgsdftwerter-blog · 5 years ago

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What Is the Best Wax for Candle Making - Natural or Paraffin?

If you like candle lights like I do, after that you have listened to specialists discuss the best wax for making candle lights. Some individuals choose all-natural waxes as well as some like paraffin waxes. But also for the most component, a candle-maker will prefer one or the various other.

Although both of these candle waxes have their benefits and drawbacks, I believe that a person wax is not essential better than one more. It is actually as much as the candle-maker to decide which wax they like to deal with and also what sort of candles they are making. One more consideration is that is utilizing your candles. Are you making candle lights for yourself and also your household or are you making candle lights to offer? If you are making candle lights to market, you will certainly need to understand your target market.

Allow's consider both the natural wax and also the paraffin wax to figure out which one would be much better fit to your needs.

Paraffin candle light wax has actually been around for a long time. Paraffin wax is a petroleum-based product and also as a result, buying paraffin wax supports the oil market. Some candle-makers do not intend to sustain the oil market and for that reason will certainly not utilize this item. Paraffin wax, since it is a petroleum item, generates more smoke as well as possibly unsafe pollutants into the air than a natural wax.

Paraffin wax, certainly, has some major drawbacks, yet it additionally has some advantages. Paraffin wax will hold its scent much better, a lot longer and much easier than an all-natural wax will. The toughness of the scent, or fragrance toss as it is called, is a lot more powerful from a paraffin wax candle light than an all-natural wax candle light. The fragrance from these candles will certainly fill up a bigger space better than an all-natural wax candle. There is additionally extra fragrance infiltration with an all-natural candle than with a paraffin candle light. It is easier to deal with paraffin wax and needs much less additives as well as changes when utilizing it.

All-natural candle wax such as soy, beeswax and palm wax are ending up being a favorite to candle-makers due to their all-natural and also helpful residential properties. The all-natural candle waxes are, nevertheless, more expensive, however not nearly enough to make this type of wax non-affordable.

All-natural waxes are softer than paraffin wax so it is more difficult to obtain a strong aroma toss or to get a heavier fragrance oil to blend with them. Many people who utilize paraffin wax are utilizing it since their candles will certainly look better than candles made with the natural waxes. Soy wax tends to frost or form a white residue on the leading as well as sides of the candle. Some natural waxes also have a tendency to develop bubbles which is additionally much less attractive.

Nevertheless, there are numerous benefits to using natural candle light waxes. They do burn cleaner than paraffin wax so you don't get the sooty build-up on your wall surfaces. If you splash some all-natural wax, it is much easier to tidy up. You simply make use of soap and water. The major factor that candle-makers usage natural candle light waxes is that they stem from agriculture as opposed to the oil sector. Soy wax is originated from soybeans, beeswax is originated from and also hand wax is received from the hand tree.

An additional factor to consider is that will certainly be using your candle lights. Are you making the candles on your own? If so, utilize what you favor. If you are making the candle lights to sell, use what your clients like.

So, what is the very best wax for making candle lights - all-natural or paraffin? The solution is whatever you prefer. Both of these candle waxes, natural or paraffin can developing lovely candles.

For more info : Waxing

CompanyName Ogden Lash and Wax Address 1144 W 2700 N Suite 300 Unit A Ogden, Utah 84404 Phone 801-701-8951 Google Map URL https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ogden+Lash+and+Wax/@41.307759,-112.009503,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xac3383882d6f9f35?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiB2emC-MHlAhVYrJ4KHSWgCHwQ_BIwCnoECA4QCA

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cozyours · 6 years ago

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HOW TO MAKE TEALIGHT CANDLES

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE TEALIGHT CANDLES

Candle Wax

Soy wax is very popular for making tealight candles. And considering too that it is eco-friendly, it is a very good choice. A better, but more expensive alternative, is beeswax. And if you do not mind a little pollution, paraffin wax is a great choice, and very affordable. Feel free to experiment with various types of wax. If you want your candles scented and/or coloured, consider this also in choosing your wax. Some types of wax hold scent and colour better than the others.

Candle Wicks

You can choose any from the various types of wicks that suit you. And you can get wick tabs too. You will need them. But to make your work easier, pre-tabbed wicks are the way to go.

Tealight cups

The most common types are made of metal or plastic. You can choose any as it suits you. If you want a cheaper option, your kitchen muffin pan works well too. This works well as mold though muffin liners are needed as well if you go for this option.

Candle Additives

Fragrance oils can be used but follow the instructions that come with anyone you use so that you would know the appropriate loading for your work. Many waxes give the candle a creamy white colour which is beautiful on their own. But you can tint your candles with dyes the way you want. Liquid candle dyes work best for this.

Other Candle Making Supplies

Just like in making other candles, a double boiler and a stove seem to be permanent materials needed for candle making. Opposed to this, some people use an oven but the former is an easier and more popular choice. You would also need a pouring pot or measuring cup for pouring the wax. You may not be able to pour the wax into your containers directly from the double boiler pan. Other necessary materials are a thermometer and a pair of scissors. Old newspapers would prevent mess by collecting wax spills while paper towels can be used for cleaning afterwards.

HOW TO MAKE TEALIGHT CANDLES

The actual candle making process is next.

Step One

Spread old newspapers across your work area. With this, cleaning is much easier when you’re done with your work. Then heat up your wax, in a double boiler of course. Stir gently with the thermometer. Break wax blocks into smaller chunks for quicker melting. This should only take some minutes to watch the wax and monitor the temperature. It should not exceed 185°F. If you are using a muffin pan, arrange your molds carefully in the holes and set your wicks.

For tealight cups, you only need to attach your wick to the bottom of the container. This is easy with pre-tabbed wicks. Otherwise, you can use glue or even the melting wax to make sure the wick is attached firmly to the container. Set the wick in the centre of each cup, and make sure it is straight. This ensures effective burn. You might want to use some hairpins to make sure the wicks are straight.

Step Two

Add your fragrance oil, following the instructions carefully. Usually, you would need a fragrance loading of about 6-10%. Fragrance oil can be added before you turn off the heat or after. Many advocate the latter. But for colour, add dye before turning off the heat. After adding fragrance and dye, stir the wax gently for better mixing. This step is optional. Candles are still good without colour or scent. But if you are using either, or both, do not use too much. For example, too much fragrance can affect burn quality.

Step Three

Turn off the heat when the wax completely melts. Then let the wax cool for some time before pouring. Use the pouring pot (or a measuring cup) to pour the wax into the cups. Do this slowly to avoid air bubbles in your candles.

Step Four

Leave your candles for some time so the wax can cool and harden. This would take about an hour or so but may take up to 24 hours for the candles to be fully ready for use.

Step Five

If you had used a muffin pan with liners, remove the molded candles when the wax cools. If this seems a bit difficult, just put the candles in the freezer for some minutes. For regular tealight candle cups, you should not pop the candles out. Whatever method you use, trim the wicks before burning the candles. Candles with long wicks would cause smoke and not burn well. Following these processes, your beautiful candles are ready for use. And then you can package the new candles as gifts to friends, coworkers etc.

HOW TO DECORATE YOUR TEALIGHT CANDLES

LEARN MORE.

#candles #candlemaking #teacupcandles #cozyours

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littleluxuriess · 2 years ago

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Practical Advice For Using Soy Wax And Making Soy Candles

Recently, soy wax has actually delighted in growing popularity among candle manufacturers as well as hobbyists. It's been a recommended option by numerous over various other kinds of conventional wax, such as paraffin, specifically because it is not made from oil. People like the concept that utilizing vegetable or plant-based wax is much more lasting than using something that is a byproduct of crude oil refinement.

There are some things that you need to remember when dealing with soy wax and making soy-based candles:

Soy wax is mostly used to make container candles or container candle lights. Some candlelight manufacturers state that if you intend to make free-standing pillar candles, a tougher variety could be more appropriate. Soy wax is cheaper than beeswax, yet individuals still like beeswax as a result of its all-natural honey fragrance. All sort of wax has hydrocarbon substances in them. The process of burning coincides across the variations. The only genuine distinction perhaps is the temperature at which they burn. For instance, gel wax burns at 200 levels while various other sorts of wax-like paraffin wax and also beeswax, burn at a much-reduced temperature. Not all soy wax is made totally of soy. Frequently, producers add paraffin to make a blend. As long as the mix is at the very least fifty-one percent soy after that, it is still taken into consideration as a soy-wax combination. Soy-based wax does not require extremely high temperatures during melting. When thawing it, utilize a low setting and simply wait for the wax to melt. If the wax is smoking cigarettes, that is an indication that you are using an expensive setup.

If using a melting can and a double boiler seems too troublesome for you, you can quickly use a microwave for the same purpose. You might wish to invest in containers that are specially produced by melting candlelight wax in the microwave oven. Never utilize the containers again for food! If you happen to make a mess when pouring the wax right into your candle mold and mildew, no concerns - utilize any detergent to clean off the wax. If the stain is stubborn, make use of some hot water to soften the wax initially before cleaning it once again. You can make use of dyes and also fragrances to make your soy candle lights more eye-catching. Find out the secure and mess-less ways to include coloring and aromas in your soy candle lights mix.

Check out more fascinating concepts and also beneficial pointers when working with soy wax and also making soy candle lights.

For More Info:

Buy Soy Wax Melts Online In Australia

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larsonbernard44-blog · 6 years ago

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Scented Candle lights As well as Their Soothing Power

Are you sick and tired of thinking about the excellent gift to offer to your pals on their birthdays? Possibly you wish to provide something a whole lot even more customized other than your homey however monotonous batches of chocolate chip cookies. You dislike the thought of breaking down common presents since you additionally very much abhor receiving common presents that go directly in your basement. It's high time you learn some diy possible gift products that truly make the recipients feel recognized to have you as a buddy. One-time, while I was out shopping, I encountered this enchanting boutique midtown which sells elegant how-to book on perfumed candle lights. The hard-bound book, which include products for test, is fairly inexpensive so I right away purchased it and also went house delighted. The very first batch of candle lights I made wasn't precisely best but was good enough to present at my room. If you're the type of individual that suches as romantic candlelight dinner days or whose concept of relaxation includes quiet reading time by the nook, then the perfumed ones are for you. These candles are available in variety of shapes, sizes as well as yes, aromas that can certainly fascinate anybody. Not just are these perfumed devices a charm to behold, they also have the capacity to soothe you after a tedious day at the office. One has the alternative to fragrance these wax-made products using either artificial fragrance or essential oils. Both smell great yet the latter produce extra fragrant scents that could usually reduce anxiety. Essential oils, originating from barks as well as stems of particular plants as well as blossoms like jasmine, lavender, cedar timber, calendula, as well as lemon yard, provide distinct vibrancy as well as authentic sensuality to a candle. Fragrance oils, on the other hand, are less expensive yet additionally extremely attractive. Do aromatic candles truly have particular health and wellness benefits or do they likewise have negative impacts on your body? In fact, there are specific kinds or methods of generating candle lights which are taken dangerous. Candle specialists agree that wicks that are made from metal are dangerous since they commonly create lead poisoning and air pollution. Constantly make https://lawyersandra7blogs.webnode.com/l/a5-reasons-you-should-sleep-naked-according-to-experts/ buy a candle light made from paper, hemp, or cotton wicks as they are much more wellness and also nature-friendly. Beeswax as well as soy ranges are likewise safer to make use of rather than paraffin. When buying questionable items, meticulously ask the vendor concerning the candle light's technique of preparation or the ingredients used. Ensure the ones you buy do not have chemical additives. Better yet, do your own distribution of the candle. With directly sourcing the products and preparing them on your own, you could be guaranteed you're making use of as well as giving your liked ones just the very best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXARIqxw_8k

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magdalene08019 · 3 years ago

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Inexpensive Easy Holiday Gift Ideas - Make Some, Buy Some

They are safer than many tapers. Being self-contained, during a large balanced jar, there is less chance that they'll topple over and start a fire with your home.

Step 1 You have to find a glass jar that could be used to place used candle wax at. The jar must be can withstand as much as 3-4 minutes in the microwave (depending on the amount wax you devote to it). I often use a recycled candle jar. All of the scented candles I have obtained over the time came in glass containers which I save.

Lets think that the candles being determined to are caused by a reputable candle company and are high quality candles. That is, of course, the single most important important things. There hundreds, if not thousands, of candle styles available to decide on so which one should you choose?

Even climax spring, does not mean you can have a great looking fire in the hearth. While you wouldn't normally want set a ton of logs in that room and light them up, radiating heat, what's skilled . you can't create the design of a fire in your fireplace? Rather than logs, put a set of jar candles in the fireplace. Once you light them up, they offer off an eye-catching glow and develop that warm cozy feeling you love about your fireplace, with no heat. Anyone are missing winter, it is possible to even choose scents like pine anyone take you back into the chillier climes. If you really to help brighten things up, require to put an image behind the candles to double the glow.

Buy gourmet candles. While these candles do cost more, they last in general 3-5 times as long both with burn times and with scent. While a $5.00 candle may appear better than paying $20 for one the same size, outside expensive candle will frequently last for a long time than the $5.00 a person particular.

The reason scented jar candles are really great is the they could be moved from space to space inside the home, without hassle. There's no dripping or spilling, they are perfectly self-contained candles, made up of lovely aromas. This means discover take that spring scent with you whether the in the bedroom reading a book, regarding living room thinking on the flowers great be planting when you receive . cold moves out or possibly in your breakfast nook obtaining a cup of tea. Special thing about jar candles is that after the candle is gone, you can have a perfectly nice jar to use for other purposes. After you burn any few jar candles, these have an amazing set of matching jars that could be used for holding various odds and ends. You may even decorate them supplementations them signature bank.

Soy is the perfect kind of wax to obtain when getting a richly scented candle. The soy wax melts in a very liquid as it is being hurt. Because of this natural process during the burning it can the scent stay genuinely. Beeswax is another all natural product that works well with richly scented in addition to. It burns evenly and aids in the associated with even, strong scents. From the healthier selections for your property. For the wick you to help choose a lead free wick. Lead can be poisonous las vegas dui attorney too much in muscles which is straightforward to have.

There are a couple of different waxes that are needed in making candles. Probably the most important waxes are paraffin, soy palm, beeswax and gel wax. Most store bought candles are prepared from paraffin wax that is made from refined petroleum.

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jacobbearcandles-blog · 4 years ago

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Buy Eco-friendly Scented Candles Online In Ireland At A Low Price

Astonishing as it might appear to be scented candles are not all things considered. There is a gigantic distinction in the manner by which organizations make extravagance scented candles, for example, those made by brands like True Grace or Yankee candles, and the modest mass-market candles which one can without much of a stretch find at the corner shop, store or even the carport. Also, this is one method of clarifying why certain societies can be disillusioned with their scented candles. Want to Buy Premium Scented Candles Online? Jacobbearcandles.com that offer a variety of product such as Luxury Handcrafted Scented Candles.

As an issue of rational, it is practically inescapable that something which costs a couple of pounds or dollars is probably not going to radiate a similar nature of aroma as a scented flame costing significantly more. In the realm of home aromas, the cost of your #1 scented flame can frequently be viewed as a sound manual for its quality. The constituent parts which make premium candles, particularly great quality wax, for example, beeswax or soy wax, alongside basic plant oils used to make consistent with life smells, are not modest, and this is reflected in the cost of the completed item. Contribute somewhat more and you will get an enduring top-quality flame that you can genuinely appreciate.

Regarding the decision, an expanding number of purchasers show more interest in more eco benevolent home aroma items, rather than those scented candles which are produced using paraffin wax. As paraffin wax is gotten through the way toward refining oil it is a noninexhaustible asset and not the most ecologically capable decision. If you are aware of ecological issues, you should consider attempting a soy flame, a beeswax light or one of the candles produced using a mix of these waxes and other vegetable waxes, for example, those made by True Grace candles and Yankee candles.

Lighting fragrant candles produced using soy wax or one of the other previously mentioned waxes can help improve certain sensitivities or responses which have been ensnared with the utilization of scented candles made with paraffin wax. Most candles acquire their aromas from the fundamental oils of plants trees and different botanicals. A valid justification to consume fragrant candles is for aromatic healing, which is a decent method to take things simple following a laborious day at work.

Scented candles and home aroma items, for example, reed diffusers are accessible in an impressive number of places, including the nearby corner shop or grocery store to expert shops on the web. If you are searching for more sumptuous scented candles, for example, those made by brands like True Grace candles, at that point the web is presumably the best spot to discover them. Looking to Buy Best Scented Candles Online? Jacobbearcandles.com provides Vegan-Friendly Scented Candles that are luxury handcrafted and specific scent at affordable prices.

The one issue about purchasing on the web is that you can't smell the flame before you purchase, however, if you are considering scented candles from respectable makers you can be sensibly sure that they will radiate durable, practical aromas, dissimilar to a portion of the less expensive product line created choices. Very separated from the huge number of various brands out there, you can likewise locate an immense assortment in the sorts of flame accessible, going from little scented candles in tins or votives which will just consume temporarily, to a lot bigger column or container candles with incredibly long consume times - and frequently with a sticker price to coordinate.

For More Info :- Luxury Scented Candle Online Store

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heliumrelish1-blog · 6 years ago

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Meet Bottarga: It's Like Parmesan, but From the Sea!

[Photographs: Vicky Wasik]

It goes by many names.

You might know it as karasumi, served along with sake or beer at some izakaya. You might have heard it called eoran if you ate it along with other anju (Korean drinking food), washed down with a swig of soju. Or maybe you call it something else: the Greeks call it avgotaraho; the French, poutarge. In Croatia, they call it butarga or butarge, which is closer to the name with which most people in the United States are familiar, if they're familiar with it at all: bottarga. Or perhaps you know it from its name in Arabic, butarkah, whence its Italian name derives.

No matter what you call it, the product is essentially the same: Bottarga is the roe sac of a fish, most commonly grey mullet, which is salted, massaged to expel air pockets, then pressed and dried. It's a delicacy the world over, and it dates back to ancient times. Almost anywhere humans fished, it seems, once they learned of this preservation technique, they extracted fish roe sacs and salted and dried them to produce a deeply savory pantry staple that's resistant to rot. Bottarga is wonderful to eat with vegetables, grated over almost any starch or grain, or just on its own, sliced paper thin and seasoned with a little salt or soy sauce, a squeeze of lemon, and a slick of flavorful oil.

We'll take a deep dive into the history of bottarga, the different types that can be purchased and where to find them, as well as what to do with it once you've got some on your hands. The bottom line is this: You should buy some. Right now! Stash it in the fridge and pull it out for special occasions; treat it like the luxury it is.

Or you can do what I do: Use it as often as your budget allows. While it may be pricey, you can use bottarga with any number of different foods. Like soy sauce, or fish sauce, or Parmigiano-Reggiano, it's an easy and quick way to add a savory richness to dishes, whether it's pasta or eggs, and it never feels not special, and it's more affordable than it seems.

Three examples of bottarga. Clockwise from left: mullet bottarga from l'Oro di Cabras; tuna bottarga; mullet bottarga from Smeralda.

The method for preserving the roe sacs of grey mullet is thought to have originated with the Phoenicians, who spread it to Egypt, where the first documentary evidence of the practice is said to be found. I say "said to be found" because in the many explainers and histories of bottarga that can be found online, one claim about the existence of an Egyptian mural dating back to the 10th century BCE that depicts fishermen preparing sacs of roe, is recycled frequently. Egypt is also thought by many to be the origin point of bottarga for the wider world since the word "bottarga" is derived from the Arabic word "butarkhah," which in turn is derived from Coptic.

But, according to Andrew Dalby, a historian and linguist, the roots of the word are a little more complicated. Dalby notes that bottarga was enjoyed by the inhabitants of Byzantium, which was colonized by the Greeks in around 600 BCE. As he writes in Tastes of Byzantium: The Cuisine of a Legendary Empire, "In addition to all the seafood delicacies known to classical Greece, the Byzantines appreciated salted greymullet [sic] roe, ootarikhon (literally 'egg pickle': the Greek word is the source of Coptic outarakhon and thus of Arabic butarkhah and of the modern term 'botargo')," which seems to indicate that the Greeks can lay claim to the name, if not the process itself.

Regardless of its origins, bottarga and the method for making it was transmitted to civilizations all along the Silk Road, ending up both in the Far East, in places like China, South Korea, and Japan, and in the West, including what is now Italy. It is discussed in Libro de Arte Coquinaria, a book of Italian medieval cookery written around 1465 by Martino de Rossi, who is variously known as "the prince of chefs" or, more dismally, "the world's first celebrity chef." Many of the recipes in the book, which has been translated, outfitted with additional recipes, and published by the University of California Press as The Art of Cooking: The First Modern Cookery Book, were copied entirely by Bartolomeo Sacchi in his gastronomical treatise De honesta voluptate et valetudine, which has the distinction of being the first cookbook ever printed. Of bottarga, the prince of chefs describes the process of making it—use very fresh roe, cure it with salt, press it, then dry—and offers just a small note on how to eat it: "Bottarga is generally eaten raw, but those who wish to cook it can do so by heating it under ashes or on a clean, hot hearth, turning it over until it is hot all the way through."

Samuel Pepys, whose detailed diary has offered up to a history a clear view of life in England in the latter half of 17th century, mentions bottarga in an accounting of a fine-sounding summer night's activities in the diary entry from June 5, 1661: "So home Sir William and I, and it being very hot weather I took my flageolette and played upon the leads in the garden, where Sir W. Pen came out in his shirt into his leads, and there we staid talking and singing, and drinking great drafts of claret, and eating botargo and bread and butter till 12 at night, it being moonshine; and so to bed, very near fuddled."

All of which I note merely to point out that it has been enjoyed for centuries, from Byzantium to Rome and London and beyond.

Interior of Smeralda-brand mullet bottarga

The botargo of Samuel Pepys and the bottarga of Martino de Rossi appear to be extremely similar products to the bottarga we can buy today: that is, bottarga di muggine, or the roe sacs of grey mullets, cured and dried. There are some differences between different cultures' bottarga-like products: The Greeks appear to coat their avgotaraho in beeswax, which acts as a preservative; karasumi produced in Japan and Taiwan is not dried as thoroughly as Italian bottarga, and is a little softer as a result (and is often also covered in wax to prevent further drying). Eoran, the Korean version of cured and dried grey mullet roe, is cured in soy sauce, and is brushed with sesame oil as it dries—here is a wonderful collection of photos of the process.

Interior of l'Oro di Cabras-brand mullet bottarga

There is one other variety of bottarga that should be mentioned, namely bottarga di tonno, made from sacs of tuna roe. While bottarga made from grey mullet is generally more prized than tuna bottarga due to its more delicate (read: milder, less fishy) flavor, at least in the United States, the tuna variety is far more difficult to find, and much more expensive. It is also slightly softer than the mullet variety, which makes it difficult to grate, even with a microplane (popping it in the freezer for a bit helps).

Interior of tuna bottarga

Bottarga made from mullet roe is subtly salty, with hints of the fishiness you'd taste in caviar or uni. The bottarga made from tuna roe has a more pronounced salinity and more aggressive dried fish flavor, with a definite mineral edge. Tastes vary, of course, but for my part, I prefer the tuna bottarga.

Mullet bottarga from l'Oro di Cabras, sold by Gustiamo.

Bottarga is a specialty item, and, as such, you'll have to seek it out at Italian specialty stores or online—Amazon has quite a large selection. For those readers who live in New York City, the two locations of Eataly regularly carry bottarga, and specialty shops like Un Posto Italiano regularly stock bottarga, too.

I generally buy and use the Sardinian mullet bottarga imported by Gustiamo, which you can purchase through Amazon, or from Gustiamo directly. Gustiamo is also, as far as I can tell, the only domestic importer of tuna roe bottarga, although the product is, at $57 for about four ounces, significantly more expensive than the mullet bottarga, which a similar sized piece sells for just $24.

We do not recommend buying pre-grated bottarga products, as it is, like hard cheese, best when grated fresh. And speaking of cheese, I find it best to view bottarga in the same context as premium cheese products like Parmigiano-Reggiano. A pound of Parmigiano usually retails for about $20, and while that is about five times cheaper than a pound of bottarga, that amount of cheese will suffice for a similar number of plates of pasta as four ounces of bottarga, since you'll use bottarga more sparingly.

Aside from the way it tastes, the best part of bottarga is that it effectively keeps indefinitely. Even after you open up the packaging, peel back the pellicle, and grate some over pasta, the remainder will keep, tightly wrapped in plastic and refrigerated, for months and months.

A word about that pellicle: It is in fact the membrane that encapsulates the roe sac, which turns papery during the process of curing and drying. While it is not absolutely necessary to remove it, it is preferable. As Andrew Feinberg notes in Franny's: Simple, Seasonal, Italian, if you don't peel it off, "it might get caught in your teeth." Generally speaking, I peel only as much as I want to use, much like certain salami with inedibly chewy casings.

Mullet bottarga with the pellicle partially removed.

Once it's peeled, you're all set to use it as you see fit. You can use it as a finishing ingredient, finely grated or crumbled over any number of things, or you can enjoy it on its own, in thin slices, dressed with a little olive oil, salt, and a squeeze of lemon. If you like, you can go in an Asian direction, or a Middle Eastern one; it has been enjoyed the world over for hundreds of years because of its versatility, and I'm sure it would go well with the flavors of any cuisine—Mexican, say, or Thai.

Pasta with tuna bottarga (left) and mullet bottarga (right)

Here, then, is a short list of suggestions: It is excellent grated over pasta, particularly in simpler preparations, like aglio e olio or, my current favorite pasta and bottarga combination, pasta al limone. (Italian purists, like Sasha, will object to just grating bottarga over any old pasta, as there is a specific pasta dish called—what else?—pasta con la bottarga. I am obviously not a purist, nor Italian!) It is a wonderful accent for the humble boiled egg, whether hard- or soft-boiled; it is a fine addition to a plate of soft-scrambled eggs; it is quite tasty with a plain bowl of steamed white rice, or as a topping for tamago kaki gohan; it is a fitting substitute for grated dried scallops in fried rice, of the kind you might find at a Cantonese banquet hall—grate it on top of a mound of fried rice before serving.

The only note of caution I'll provide is you should avoid cooking bottarga. As Martino says, you can gently warm it, but given its delicate flavor and its high cost, it would be a waste to, say, sauté grated bottarga along with a sofrito.

Barring that, do with it what you like. Put it on mashed potatoes, or grate it over broiled asparagus or, like a particularly inventive cook in New York, put it on top of beef tartare. The ocean's the limit.

This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit Serious Eats. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.

Source: https://www.seriouseats.com/2019/03/bottarga-the-international-delicacy-everyone-should-try.html

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taruna0ils · 5 years ago

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Aromatherapy Soy Candles

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For at least the past 5,000 years, man has been growing the soybean and using the oft named “miracle crop” for a variety of different products and uses. Aromatherapy soy candles are often used as alternative to candles made from paraffin wax by those who are conscious of the environment, as well as those interested in the healing benefits the practice of aromatherapy has to offer. And, since soy is a renewable resource and completely biodegradable, environmentalists have long preferred this type of candle over any other.

Today, millions of crops of soybeans are grown in various countries all over the world, with the United States being one of the top leading growers. Aromatherapy soy candles are made from glycine max, which is the technical and scientific name for the soybean, a type of legume that’s related to peas, alfalfa, and clover. Soy candles can be found in a wide array of aromas and pleasing fragrances and are used for a variety of therapeutic purposes.

Besides candles, soy can be found in foods, drinks, and many other types of products, all safe for the environment. Many people are pleasantly surprised to learn that soy based candles are usually less expensive than their paraffin or wax counterparts. Because they also burn slower than other types of candles, they are also more cost effective, sometimes burning twice as long made from beeswax or paraffin.

The Benefits of Using Aromatherapy Soy Candles

One of the most positive benefits of using soy candles for aromatherapy is that they emit very little soot as compared to those made from paraffin wax. Also, soy candles emit absolutely no petro-carbon soot the way petroleum-based candles do, which has been likened to second-hand cigarette smoke in that it is just as harmful to the lungs and the cells of the body.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S., the soot and fumes from paraffin wax are actually byproducts of petroleum and when burned, emit more than 10 toxins that may be harmful to our health. Considering that the fragrances and scents are meant to be inhaled in close quarters, toxins and man-made substances in other types of candles negate the positive effects and health benefits that we look to aromatherapy for in the first place.

Aromatherapy soy candles are also safe for to be used near children and pets since they are non-toxic, although caution should always be used with any type of lit candle.

For the purpose of aromatherapy, soy candles are rather beneficial as they last considerably longer than candles made from other substances such as beeswax, and they also tend to last as much as 50% longer than paraffin candles. Since soy is water soluble, the wax from these type of candles allows for quick clean-up with simple soap and water.

The very best aromatherapy soy candles also contain no artificial dyes or colorants, using only natural ingredient to achieve the various colors. Unlike regular candles made from waxes such as paraffin, soy candles don’t contain metal cores and will feature wicks made from 100% cotton, making them environmentally friendly as well as safe to use in your home as they will not discolor the walls or furniture the way other fumes from other candles often do.

Some of the common types of aromatherapy soy candles include: Pillars, Tapers, Tarts, Travel tins, Votives

Aromatherapy soy candles are often used by trained aromatherapy practitioners, herbalists, vegans, massage therapists, and, of course, the avid candle enthusiast. When buying these types of candles, remember that the word “soy” doesn’t necessarily mean the candle is made from all-natural ingredients. Unless it contains pure essential oils, not fragrance oils, it may have a pleasant aromatic scent, but not be completely natural.

In keeping with the holistic and naturalistic theme, many companies choose to forgo adding any dyes or coloring agents to their candles so as not to take away from the appearance of the soy. If you are still interested in having color, try putting natural soy candles in colored glass jars instead.

Caring for Aromatherapy Soy Candles

To keep your aromatherapy soy candles looking their best, polish them with either a soft cloth, or a stocking made from fine mesh, and to prevent them from fading, keep all candles out of direct sunlight as well as heat. For longevity purposes, keep the wicks of aromatherapy soy candles trimmed to 1/8″ long, and never attempt to cut a wick while it is burning. All candles will burn best if they are stored in a cool, dry place, and always allow candles to burn until the melted wax, or soy in this case, reaches the outer edges of the candle.

Don’t burn soy candles in a draft or near an open window as this will cause the candle to burn unevenly, or need relit more often, putting extra wear and tear on the wick. Also, after each burn, make sure the wick is properly centered while the soy is still soft and pliable. Using a candle snuffer helps to safely extinguish candles without causing the soy or wax to splatter, and always make certain you are using a heatproof container, plate, or holder when burning aromatherapy soy candles.

Some of the accessories that can be used along with aromatherapy include candle snuffers with swiveled heads, which are the safest ways to extinguish any type of candle and are made to reach down into many different types of candle holders. A bobeche is another useful item to have when using soy candles for aromatherapy. Besides being a decorative candle holder, a bobeche features a round disk with a hole in the center for the candle to slide into, neatly eliminating any wax drippings.

The post Aromatherapy Soy Candles appeared first on Taruna Oils.

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agendahammer79-blog · 5 years ago

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Meet Bottarga: It's Like Parmesan, but From the Sea!

[Photographs: Vicky Wasik]

It goes by many names.

Three examples of bottarga. Clockwise from left: mullet bottarga from l'Oro di Cabras; tuna bottarga; mullet bottarga from Smeralda.

All of which I note merely to point out that it has been enjoyed for centuries, from Byzantium to Rome and London and beyond.

Interior of Smeralda-brand mullet bottarga

Interior of l'Oro di Cabras-brand mullet bottarga

Interior of tuna bottarga

Mullet bottarga from l'Oro di Cabras, sold by Gustiamo.

Mullet bottarga with the pellicle partially removed.

Pasta with tuna bottarga (left) and mullet bottarga (right)

This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit Serious Eats. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.

Source: https://www.seriouseats.com/2019/03/bottarga-the-international-delicacy-everyone-should-try.html

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gethealthy18-blog · 6 years ago

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How to Make & Use Dried Flowers for Decor, Tinctures, and More

New Post has been published on http://healingawerness.com/news/how-to-make-use-dried-flowers-for-decor-tinctures-and-more/

How to Make & Use Dried Flowers for Decor, Tinctures, and More

We use a lot of flowers around here for purposes other than decoration, from calendula for skin to dandelions for iced dandelion lime tea. While I enjoy a vase of fresh flowers as much as the next person, the practical side of me always wishes for a way to extend the enjoyment.

I did a little research, and as a result, here are five natural ways to preserve flowers so their beauty lasts for weeks (even months!).

How to Make Dried Flowers for Lasting Beauty & Benefits

Yes, they’re pretty, but flowers have other benefits. Science has shown flowers make us happier!

I may be known for suggesting gifts other than flowers (preferably, experiences!), but there are tangible benefits to this popular gesture. In 2005 researchers explored how flowers impact behavior. People who received flowers were happier and had more positive interactions with those around them. The flowers even positively affected the recipient’s memory!

Fresh flowers can get expensive though! (I personally love to receive potted plants for this reason.) One other approach though is to dry flowers in order to preserve them (and the positive emotions!). Dried flowers are one of the simplest and most classic ways to preserve flowers and make the enjoyment last.

Which Flowers Work Best

Flowers that are delicate can crumble more easily when dried, so sturdy flowers work best. Sunflowers and daisies usually lose their petals when dried, so they’re not the best candidates for dried flowers.

Here are some flowers that work well:

Marigold

Carnation

Rose

Hydrangea

Delphinium

Tip: Flowers are best preserved when they’re vibrant and before they’re fully opened. Don’t’ wait until they’re dying!

How to Make Beautiful Dried Flowers at Home

There are three basic ways (that I know of) to dry flowers: by hanging, by pressing, or in wax.

Option 1: Dry Flowers by Hanging

Pros: Easy to do, little prep time. Ideal method for flowers and herbs that may be used in tinctures.

Cons: Some fading and loss of color. Will crumble easily if touched.

Supplies

You’ll need:

Flowers

Twine

Coat hanger

Scissors

Brown paper bags (optional)

Instructions

Remove the leaves from the stem so the flowers dry better.

Arrange the flowers in small bundles. Space the flowers out so there’s enough airflow and the blooms aren’t smashed together.

Tie twine around the flower stems and pull it tight. The stems will shrink some as the flowers dry.

Tie the twine to a clothes hanger. Each coat hanger will fit about 2-3 flower bundles.

Hang the flowers in a warm, dry place for 2-3 weeks or until dry.

Tips for Success:

Moisture will prevent the flowers from drying properly and can cause them to get moldy.

There should be air circulation, but make sure there aren’t any breezes nearby!

Direct sunlight causes the petal color to fade. Covering flowers with a paper bag while they’re drying can help. Once the flowers are tied, gently place the flower heads into an open paper bag and secure with some twine.

Storage and Shelf Life

Keep the flowers away from direct sunlight and protect them from gusts of wind. When stored properly, dry flowers will last for years, if not indefinitely.

Option 2: Dry Flowers by Pressing

Pros: Easy, low prep, and perfect for framing

Cons: Will lose the three-dimensional beauty; only works with certain flowers

This well known method to preserve flowers works best on blooms that are naturally more flat. There are some inspiring wooden flower presses available, but good old-fashioned books work just as well. According to Better Homes and Gardens, here are some flowers that work well for pressing.

Flowers that work well for pressing:

Violets

Pansies

Daisies

Shrub roses

Cosmos

Delphinium

Miniature roses

Geraniums

Forget-me-nots

Ferns

Leaves

Pressed Flowers Supplies

You’ll need:

Flowers

Scissors

Heavy books or flower press

Absorbent paper (newspaper, regular printer paper, etc. NOT wax paper or paper towels)

Pressed Flowers Instructions

Snip the stems from the flowers as close to the base as possible.

Lay a sheet of paper on the pages of the book. Arrange the flowers on the paper so they don’t touch each other.

Lay another sheet of paper on top, then close the book or flower press.

Stack heavy books on top and leave it be for several weeks.

Storage and Shelf Life

Pressed flowers will last indefinitely when stored properly. Keep them away from excessive heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. The flowers can be displayed in a glass frame, or laminated for things like bookmarks.

Option 3: Preserve Flowers in Wax

Pros: Lasts indefinitely and preserves color better than the other methods

Cons: Time-intensive and can be finicky; more to clean up.

I use beeswax in everything from homemade deodorant to non-toxic candles. Turns out it’s also handy for preserving flowers. Paraffin wax is typically used to wax flowers. However, like petroleum jelly, paraffin is a by-product of oil refining so I prefer to skip it. Soy wax is often used, but it comes from highly refined GMO crops (definitely not eco-friendly), so it’s also on my no list. So that leaves us with beeswax.

Wax Flowers Supplies

Flowers

Beeswax (about 1 cup)

Wide mouth Mason Jar

Pot

Metal Spoon

Wax Flowers Instructions

Fill the pot half full of water and place it over medium/high heat on the stove.

Put the beeswax into the jar and place the jar in the water.

Stir occasionally with a spoon until fully melted.

Quickly dip the flower into the wax, making sure it’s fully submerged.Large flowers like roses need more wax than something like daisies.

Pull the flower up out of the wax, but keep the head still in the jar: give it a spin so the excess wax comes off.

Dry flowers upright for a few hours until hardened.

Tips for Success:

This method is a little trickier than the others and takes some trial and error.

The wax should be hot enough to smoothly coat the petals, but not so hot it cooks them.

The wax made the pink and red flowers duller and faded. However the method works beautifully for leaves, yellow, and orange-toned flowers.

Flowers with petals that aren’t tight together work best (flowers should be completely bloomed and open). Delicate flowers that won’t hold up to the heat of the wax are also a poor choice.

Storage and Shelf Life

Waxed flowers will last about 1-4 weeks, although some people have reported theirs have lasted for years. Keep them out of direct sunlight.

Fun Uses for Dried Flowers

Here are some ideas to use dried flowers:

Mount pressed flowers in a picture frame and hang them like art. Frames that are clear glass on both sides work well for this!

Put pressed flowers on some scrapbook paper to make a bookmark. Cover it in contact paper or laminate.

Arrange and put in shadow boxes (these are like picture frames but much thicker for large items).

Make a wreath with dried flowers to hang in the home.

You can make handmade paper from paper scraps and add flower petals for color.

Decorate gifts by tying with some twine and tucking dried flowers in the twine.

Pressed flowers can even be used to decorate a smartphone. Simply arrange the flowers on the phone back, then snap a clear phone cover over them.

Memory books and scrapbooks are another way to keep pressed flowers. Be sure to use very flat blooms and cover them with modge podge, contact paper, or something similar so they don’t crumble on the page.

Have you ever dried flowers before? What are some ways you use the dried blooms?

Sources:

Haviland-Jones, J., Rosario, H. H., Wilson, P., & McGuire, T. R. (2005). An Environmental Approach to Positive Emotion: Flowers. Evolutionary Psychology. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/147470490500300109

Source: https://wellnessmama.com/403578/dried-flowers/

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beautysupply101 · 6 years ago

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Candle Making Supplies and Where to Get Them

Decorative and scented candles are not only beautiful to look at, but they make a room feel more cozy and warm. Having to buy these candles can be the easiest thing to do, but it gives someone a sense of fulfilment if the candles were made at home. People like to receive homemade candles because of the labor of love which comes with the gift. The only difficulty is the supply for the materials to make this hobby into reality. Well, there is no need to worry we will assist you in finding all that you need to make your decorative and scented candles.

Candle making does not involve any high tech instruments that are very expensive. Instead, you would probably find all the supplies in your kitchen already, all you need to do is to make sure that you do not use the same equipment for making food. Supplies like a double broiler or a slow cooker as well as a high temperature cooking thermometer can be found wherever there are kitchen supplies and wares are sold, they are also cheaper if bought there as opposed to the same supplies sold in specialty and craft stores.

You may probably already have the aprons, mitts, wax paper, cooling rack, rolls of paper towels, and kitchen scale but if you don't, then these may be also be bought in these kitchen wares stores. The canning section will sell some wax as well and if there are none, then definitely an arts and crafts store will have them.

To complete the project, you may need to go to a craft store to purchase the items which cannot be substituted: wicks and wick holders, candle molds, sealers, mold release spray, as well an assortment of waxes (soy, beeswax, etc.). Do not attempt to make substitutions for these materials as you will find out, too late, that your candle will get destroyed or may simply not turn out as well as you might expect. These items are also sold in kits for beginner hobbyists and are recommended if the candle making project is the first attempt. Separate and larger quantities of these materials can be bought once you become an 'expert' candle maker.

If there is no retail store for the candle making supplies near you or if there is and the supplies are incomplete, then turn to the internet. There are a lot of sites which will happily sell online the materials of choice and if you choose the more popular sites, then read customer reviews to see if the site is a trusted one or not. Some of the more popular sites, like the Amazon.com, can sell kits to the beginners.

Ready your supply list before going out to buy them. Read carefully the instructions that come with the kits to make sure that there are no wasted efforts. Once you get the hang of creating candles at home, your creativity will simply flourish and pretty soon, buying candles would be history. Have fun with your new spare-time activity and get that sense of fulfilment.

Ricky Dean is a professional article writer for Dinosauric.com. For more candle making tips [http://bit.ly/2TTTjA6], visit http://bit.ly/2TTTjA6 [http://bit.ly/2TTTjA6]. Note: This article may be reprinted in your ezine, blog, or website as long as the credits remain in tact and hyperlinks remain active.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ricky_S_Dean/694949

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#Candle Making Supplies and Where to Get Them

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bestforlessmove · 7 years ago

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Fragrance Flubs: 6 Mistakes You Should Never Make With Scented Candles

iStock

Scented candles can be tiny miracle workers, creating a full-blown atmosphere with one swipe of a match. The right scent can encourage romance, set the tone for a party, or, if you're looking to sell, entice a potential buyer to linger.

“There's nothing better than walking to a room and smelling a beautiful aroma that enhances the aesthetics of the space,” explains Sue Phillips, a fragrance expert with Scenterprises.

But it's surprisingly easy to go wrong with these waxy wonders, especially when you don't quite know how your chosen scent will affect your room. Whatever you do, avoid the following scented candle slip-ups so you don't become known as that crazy candle person.

1. Using a scented candle to mask odors

Photo by Emma Blomfield

Did you make fish last night? Are your dogs, lovable as they are, stinking up the house? Before you light an expensive scented candle, beware: Trying to mask odors with a candle doesn't work well, experts say.

“When you light a scented candle to hide an unpleasant aroma, you'll just end up with both odors competing in your room,” says AC Brown, owner of the beauty and wellness company Goodnight Darling.

Your best bet: Open a window to air out the room, and then light your candle to bring in a fresh scent.

2. Buying cheapo scented candles

Photo by Urrutia Design

Truth: Bargain-bin scented candles smell rank. The type of wax you buy really matters. Shop for soy or beeswax, rather than cheaper paraffin or petroleum byproducts, and try to verify that the wick doesn't contain lead, recommends Darla DeMorrow, a home expert with HeartWork Organizing.

“I stick with locally made candles or ones from USA-based manufacturers,” she says. Also look for dye- and allergen-free versions made without phthalates.

As for the candle's packaging, strive to marry the product's look with your home's appearance.

“Candles in colored glass are a bit dated,” Brown says. “Opt for black, amber, or white, clear glass, as these fit with most decor.”

3. Ignoring the room's purpose

Photo by Oliver Burns

Each area of the house lends itself to a particular set of scents. Make sure you aren't unwittingly sending the wrong message with your scented candles. Not sure what goes where? Here's the breakdown, room by room:

Kitchen: “This space typically doesn't require fragrance because there's nothing better than authentic food aromas,” Phillips explains.

But if you can't bake a batch of cookies or whip up a beef stew, turn to a homey scent.

“Research shows that the smell of vanilla and apple pie are very compelling and can transport you back to childhood,” she adds.

Consider the time of day when selecting a scented candle, says lifestyle guru Cynthia O'Hara, aka the Harried Housewife.

“Try lemony candles in the kitchen during the day, when a refreshing scent is welcome, and then vanilla in the later afternoon or evening, when a cozier feeling is desired,” she suggests.

Living room: This spot is one of conviviality, so turn to warm, smooth sandalwood, one of the oldest aromas dating to ancient Egypt, Phillips says.

“This scent complements a crackling fireplace and will help you relax and entertain,” she adds.

Bedroom: The need to unplug from our busy lives can be helped along by the right scent, especially in the boudoir.

“Lavender-scented candles or as a sachet under your pillowcase will encourage relaxation, aid in a good night's sleep, and help you wake up refreshed,” Phillips notes.

Bathroom: It's dealer's choice for this spot, so pick a scent that's personally appealing. “Nearly any candle or scented spray will help neutralize odors and that mildewy smell,” she says.

4. Forgetting the season

Photo by AMR Interior Design & Drafting Ltd

You wouldn't light pumpkin spice candles in the spring, right? That's a fragrance that screams cold weather and cozy slippers.

“Match your scent to the season, especially when entertaining,” O'Hara says.

She suggests heady aromas like maple or cinnamon in the kitchen or dining room in fall, and bayberry and gingerbread in winter. Balsam and pine aromas are also great in the family and living rooms during colder months. Opt for light floral scents in the spring and summer.

5. Lighting more than two candles in a room

Photo by Houzz

Candles are like martinis. One is good, two are better-but a third can make you miserable.

“Too much fragrance can literally make people feel sick,” Brown warns.

DeMorrow agrees. “A person can go 'nose blind' in about 15 minutes, which might lead you to light more candles-but someone new walking into the room might be overwhelmed,” she says.

And scent travels, so light just one or two candles to fill a space.

6. Lighting them and forgetting about them

Photo by David Churchill – Architectural Photographer

We shouldn't have to say it, but we're going to anyway: Do not leave the house or go to bed with candles still lit.

“Keep them away from drapes, bedding, and tablecloths, and put them on coasters, not directly on the table's surface,” says Julie Coracciao, a home organizing professional with Reawaken Your Brilliance.

“Allow 3 feet of open space around the candle, and set a timer as a reminder to blow it out,” adds DeMorrow.

The post Fragrance Flubs: 6 Mistakes You Should Never Make With Scented Candles appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

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