Edible Massage Lotion

Massage is something I do lot of for Master.  Generally I use a non-edible massage oil, but there are times when a little edible version is handy.  Over the years, I've purchased commercial versions but they generally come in bottles larger than i can use before they expire.  We used some after the expiration date once and it made me a little ill and so i've been gun shy since. 

Well I set about making my own version.  I looked at several different recipes and in the end did a little combination of several.  It works well and doesn't make too much that it'll spoil before you can use it all.  Also you can make it any flavor you desire, which is always a bonus.

The ingredients are simple enough and relatively easy to find.

Edible Massage Lotion

• 1/4 Cup Vegetable Glyerine (very important to find an edible or food grade glycerine)
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Honey (depending on how sweet you want it)
• 1/2 teaspoon Flavoring Extract (vanilla, almond, chocolate, coconut, etc.)

Whisk everything together and store in an airtight container.  Use like any massage lotion but lick it off when you're done.

Note: I'd be careful with flavors like mint or cinnamon, they might add a tingle that could either be pleasing or uncomfortable depending on a person's skin.

Again, I can't stress how important it is to find edible/food grade glycerine.  The bottle should tell you so:

I think this could make a fun wedding / bridal shower gift too. 

Friday Favorites

The weather in this part of the country is turning colder. The leaves are changing, frost covers the windows in the morning, bedtime brings snuggling into each other for warmth.

As I was consider what links to share for the Friday Favorites, staring out the window and watching the wind blow, all I could think of was wanting to stay indoors with my man and curling up on the couch with a glass of wine. So my contribution to Friday Favorites is going to vary just a little from the normal collection of links.

For many of us, service doesn't begin and end at household chores and cooking dinner. Keeping the romance alive with the obstacles of children and careers and a lagging economy (and and and...) is a form of personal service that I make a priority. Here are some links to help create warmth and romance when the air, whether inside or out, seems to be getting chilly.

Dressing the part. Don't let the 'trashy' name of the website fool you! This site sells some sexy lingerie, has plus sizes, and it's affordable! I especially like the Bargains under $25 page, because if things get really heated and something gets ripped (be still my beating heart), I'm not out a bunch of money. In fact, sometimes I get stuff just so he can rip it off and claim me! (swoon!)

But before we get to the bodice ripping and claiming, we might want to eat. So...

Tips for planning a romantic dinner. Complete with a menu list for ideas and lots of other links to help you set the mood.

Foods of Love and Love Cocktails- A list of foods said to have aphrodisiac properties and a list of fun, flirty cocktails to make. Hey, every little bit helps, right?

Romance Games- This site contains a list of normal household games that couples have turned into sexy games. From "Strip Battleship" to "Naughty Word Scrabble", there is something to please the fun-loving romantic in all of us!

Personal Massage- From the same website that brought you the naughty games, comes tips and ideas for romantic personal massages. And here, you can find recipes to create your own massaging oils.


NOW can we get to the bodice ripping and claiming??

I'll beg. Srsly.

Dandelion Massage Oil

Master works a physically demanding job and has for most of his life which means he has a touch of arthritis and gets sore from time to time. One of my duties is to massage away that soreness as much as possible. I think we've tried every massage oil and muscle cream on the market with varying degrees of success. Some of those oils can be mighty expensive too. Last year I read that dandelion infused oil was especially helpful for folks suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and figured that since Master wasn't that bad off, perhaps it could help him too.

Master likes the oil says it has pleasant sensation and an aroma he finds pleasing. I find that I enjoy it on my fingers and wrists too when I'm doing the massaging. Besides the obvious massage benefits it couldn't be easier to make and is incredibly cheap.

To make your own dandelion infused oil you'll need:

• A Quart Glass jar (wide mouth is easier but not necessary)
• Vegetable Oil (plain veggie works well, but you could use almond or olive oil)
• Dandelions
• Muslin or Cheesecloth
• Rubber band

Wash your jar thoroughly and let it dry. Once dry fill the jar half full with just the yellow flowers of the dandelions. Just cover the dandelions with the oil and push the flowers down into the oil using a chopstick or a wooden spoon. Cover the jar with the muslin and secure it with a rubber band. Place the jar in a sunny window and leave it for about a month.

At the end of the month the flowers will be brown, but that's ok. Strain the oil and toss out the dandelions. Pour the strained oil into a nice bottle and voila your own homemade therapeutic massage oil.

I think this would make a great gift too for folks who have problems with arthritis or other joint problems.