Apparently, The Candyman Can't.

Props to scarbie doll for reminding me to blog about this story as I told it at work today. So if this amuses/grosses you out, you can thank/blame her. :-P

I've been reading Ecoholic by Adria Vasil, and have felt the call to make a concerted effort to lessen my footprint on the environment. So when I read the part about the ways that disposable razors and foaming shave gels negatively impact the environment, I decided that perhaps THIS was my opportunity! THIS would be step 1 in my new drive to make the world a better place!

One of the eco-friendly solutions to hair removal is the ancient process of sugaring. It's much like waxing, but without the toxins and gunk. Plus, the cloth strips are easily washable with a little hot water, and therefore reusable. Bonus!

After a bit of googling I found the universal recipe for successful sugaring:

2 cups sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup water

I bought some basic cotton fabric and cut it into strips. I bought a hefty bag of sugar and a lemon. I got a candy thermometer to ensure I got it to the precise 250 degree temp. And I set to work.

The directions were followed, but as I was waiting for my sugar-licious mixture to cool down to the point where I could slap it on my legs without needing a call to 911, it started to harden. In a panic I tried spreading the amber mixture on my leg, and not only did it not stick to my leg because of the cornstarch I powdered with because this website recommended it for "tautness making it more effective," but it was also still WAY TOO HOT.

As it continued to set to a rock candy stage, I ran down to the kitchen to try and get it out of the glass dish before it completely set.

One foot of wax paper, a spatula, a spoon, and a paring knife later, I had a lovely little blob of artwork on my counter, and a dark amber dish you could have preserved a Jurassic mosquito in.

Mr. Man came to my rescue, and amidst giggling fits, helped me reheat the solution so the glass dish could be saved.

Moral of the story: Leave the sugaring to the professionals, ladies. There are much less stressful (and less messy!) ways to save the earth.

Long Live Michael Rose and Mucho Burrito!

Today it's all about Mike Rose and burritos.

Oh, what a wonderful day! Not only is it Mike Rose's birthday (Happy Happy to you!), but today is the day that I discovered (well, that Jane escorted us to) a peppy little place called Mucho Burrito! Don't you just feel like singing that name with gusto? MUCH-oooo Buuuurrrrrr-IT-oooooooh!

Okay, so what's so great about Mucho Burrito is that it's almost exactly like Qdoba, which my long-time pals and readers will know was one of my favourite restaurants in that city I used to live in. It was also the restaurant where I let a jerk cut in line because I'm a nice girl. (Oh! Side note - I just realized that the post links in my old blog have apparently stopped working. The story I just referred to is somewhere on the page though, IF you feel like looking for it, and apparently have a lot of time on your hands.)

Aaaaaaanyway. I've been missing that Mexican grill-type cuisine since moving here. And now I am a happy princess once again.

And now a little word or two about Mike Rose. I would give you a little linky goodness, but Mike Rose is apparently a man of so few words that he doesn't have a blog of his very own. But, Mike Rose DOES want to have a place in the world for eternity. Or at least a mention. And so now that I've mentioned Mike Rose's name...let's see, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7....SEVEN whopping times in my blog post, he will therefore be plastered across the blogosphere for eternity. Or until I hit that shiny delete button. :)

Happy Birthday, Mike Rose! (Whoop, that's EIGHT!)