Jaffa Moisture Blocks

Juanita, if you're reading this ... I just want you to know that you are a lovely friend, and an inspiring photographer, and ... well ... you are never getting your camera back.


My friend Juanita - who just happens to be an amazing photographer - has loaned me one of her old pro-level cameras to play with. Oh, she knows the way to a girl's heart! Especially a girl that's been taking all her photos on a point and shoot. And getting drool all over her friends' lenses and SLRs.

I know - my birthday is in a week ... and I don't think you can drop hints any bigger than mine. But now Juanita has ruined everything. Now I need a new camera and a pro lens. Not that I know how to use it or anything ... but I'm a smart girl, I can learn.


Oh, yes. I see. You're tired of hearing about my Camera Envy? Well, let's move on then.

I've got a great one for you today. This is an astoundingly easy recipe for the best moisture block EVER. It's really amazing - it's creamy and rich but also light. It smells faintly like chocolate. I use it all over - well, let me amend that slightly - on my body, my hands, my face and my lips.

In case you're not sold yet - this moisture block is made out of edible ingredients, is travel-friendly (as in, you can take it on planes because it's solid), and is great even for sensitive skin. Nelle uses it all the time!

The downside to this recipe is that you have to spend a bit of money to get the ingredients the first time around. But you can use most of these ingredients in cooking, too, and these little moisture blocks make great gifts. So think of it as an investment.

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Jaffa Moisture Blocks

Makes about 4 small blocks
15 min cooking time + 30 min cooling

Adapted from Bodyworks

Ingredients
60 g raw cocoa butter, preferably organic
1 tsp coconut oil
1 tsp avocado oil
1 tsp almond oil
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp jojoba oil
1000 IU vitamin E (this was 2 capsules for me)
15 drops bergamot essential oil (or your choice)

* Use organic ingredients when you can. Especially if you're going to be using this as a lip balm. Be sure you're not allergic to any of the ingredients, too - we can't have you breaking into a rash or anything.

**What's 'jaffa'? It's a chocolate-orange candy here in Australia. But basically the choc-orange combination is referred to as 'jaffa'. A little bit of culture for you.

***I've actually modified the ingredients a little ... taking you back closer to the original, except that the original used regular cocoa butter and 10 drops of lavender essential oil + 5 drops sandalwood or patchouli essential oil. I *have* changed the recipe slightly for the version I'll be selling, but if you want to make this yourself it won't be too different - promise!

1. Melt the cocoa butter gently in a saucepan - and by gentle I mean low heat and stirring regularly. When it's melted, remove it from the heat and add all the vegetable oils and vitamin E. You'll have to prick the vitamin E capsules and squeeze out the contents. Stir well.

2. Let the mix cool down slightly and then add the essential oil. Mix well. I use bergamot so my moisture block has a lovely chocolate-orange scent, but you can try other essential oils if you prefer. The original recipe called for 10 drops of lavender + 5 drops of patchouli or sandlewood.

3. Pour the mixture into small muffin or chocolate moulds and set in the fridge to cool. After 30 min or so the mix should be solid enough to pop out of the tins and store in a jar.

4. To use, rub directly onto skin. Body heat will melt the moisture block just enough to smooth it over. If you live somewhere really warm, you may need to store your moisture blocks in the fridge during the summer.


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How much did this cost me?

If you make little batches, this won't cost you much at all! The cocoa butter is the biggest outlay ... but once you start putting it on your skin you won't want to go back.

So my mother in law reckons I should start selling these little guys. But have I just blown that? Would any of you out there buy these if I was selling them?

Because I really need that camera ...

Have a lovely day,
Amanda xx

Comments

  1. Well of course I'm reading, you lovely lady :-)
    Hmmmm lucky I've got another 3 cameras where that one came from... glad to see you are enjoying it. Great photos!!
    Love the moisture blocks... you should definitely sell them. (a LOT of them if you're in the market for a camera like that!)

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  2. Guess I'll have to sell them for $30 each! Think that's too much? ;)

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  3. Wow! What a great idea and a great recipe. I need to get some cocoa butter and try this. I've been complaining about how difficult it is to find moisturizer that isn't loaded with scary ingredients. Cocoa butter hunt....I'm on it!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. Yours looks to be right up my alley and I'm adding you to my reader!

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  4. I love these recipes for skin care...I would be willing to buy a few! :)
    Perhaps I'll make these as Christmas presents for friends and family; If I made them in mini muffin tins, they might go farther!

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  5. Deanna - You'll love it! If you have trouble finding cocoa butter in the shops - try organic/wholefood stores or the internet. Maybe you'll even find a cheaper supplier! (PS. Will be making those peanut butter balls today! http://themommybowl.com/2010/10/12/thai-inspired-truffle-treats/)

    Erika - excellent! I'll let you know if Easy Peasy Organic ever gets off my (I mean, her) ass and starts making some of these things commercially :)

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  6. I'd love to try before I made!
    Not sure I can afford $30 each though :-)

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  7. Oh gosh I love this a lot. I'm going to def. make this when i have time. It's like, portable lotion except it's kind of warm here... Need giant lip balm tubes or glue stick bottles?
    Cocoa butter is so expensive ahh.

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  8. Jen - I'll definitely give you a discount ;)

    Karen - I love the idea of giant glue stick bottles! I don't think it'll melt that easily ... cocoa butter's not too bad for liquifying ...

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  9. This seems so easy to I have to search all the ingredients i live in Italy I hope to find everything .I love you blog .

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Thanks for commenting! Amandaxx