Have you tried this easy experiment that only requires a bar of Ivory soap, a microwaveable plate, and a microwave?
Simply put it in the microwave for a minute and a half and watch as the rectangular bar of soap transforms into something 6 times its size! I first saw it on the Happy Hooligans website and have been itching to try it myself.
I have yet to try the experiment, but I did track down the science behind why the Ivory soap. Read the how and why here.
As the site explains, Ivory soap is one of the few brands that float in water because it has air pumped into it during the manufacturing process. If you didn’t want to click on the link, here’s the part about why it expands in the microwave:
This is actually very similar to what happens when popcorn pops or when you try to microwave a marshmallow. Those air bubbles in the soap (or the popcorn kernels or the marshmallow) contain water. Water is also caught up in the matrix of the soap itself. The expanding effect is caused when the water is heated by the microwave. The water vaporizes, forming bubbles, and the heat causes trapped air to expand. Likewise, the heat causes the soap itself to soften and become pliable.
This effect is actually a demonstration of Charles’ Law. Charles’ Law states that as the temperature of a gas increases, so does its volume. When the soap is heated, the molecules of air in the soap move quickly, causing them to move far away from each other. This causes the soap to puff up and expand to an enormous size. Other brands of soap without whipped air tend to heat up and melt in the microwave.
And here’s his video if you’d rather just keep it safe and watch online…
This is definitely something I’ll do when Avery gets just a little older and doesn’t try to eat everything she touches. Part of the fun is getting to feel how the soap has changed after being nuked. Apparently, it easily crumbles and can even be used to make homemade laundry detergent!
If you haven’t already, try this with your kids and have the guess what will happen after the 90 seconds is up.
As a side note, this will fill your room with a pleasant, soapy smell, so try it right after cooking fish or when you just need to freshen up the kitchen! Maybe at your workplace?
Are you planning on having a big feast prepared for your July 4th celebration? For most, I’m sure that involves a grill and all different kinds of meat; right? This dad loves organic, grass-fed meat (preferably local) as much as any omnivorous individual, but I “rarely” have it since it is costly. Ha, get it, “rarely”? *sigh*
Well, while the main dish is always important, don’t forget about the very healthy side options that make your celebration, or any meal, complete; fruits and veggies! An easy way to get a substantial dose of these vitamin and mineral rich plants is to create a salad.
I’m salad’s number one fan and have a giant one filled with all sorts of goodies every night, but I never use salad dressing from a bottle. Nope, most bottled salad dressings will turn that once healthy bowl of fresh produce into something not so good for you rather quickly.
Just one tablespoon of popular dressings like ranch, Caesar, and thousand island range from 65 to 75 calories. If you ever tried measuring your dressing, I’m sure you’ll find most people put way more than one tablespoon!
Not to mention you are receiving very little, if any nutritional value from these. Also, beware of the “light” or “fat-free” varieties, these are typically loaded with sugar and extra chemicals to maintain a certain thickness. No thanks!
I enjoy finding new and creative ways to “dress” my salad without the use of those creamy and/or chemical-laden choices and using things that actually boost the nutritional value. Here are six options I suggest trying next time you’re having a salad.
1. Salsa – If you need to cut down on calories or just looking for something different, salsa is your answer. There are many varieties to choose from at the store, just look for real ingredients and nothing more. I’ve seen modified food starch, guar gum, and even corn syrup in some, so be cautious! From mild, medium, or hot, have your choice and mix into your salad as desired. Add some canned black beans, corn, and tomatoes for a Mexican fiesta salad.
2. Nuts and Seeds – Add crunch with a healthy dose of protein and good fats from seeds like sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and nuts like pistachios, walnuts, and almonds. It’s easy to go overboard though, so try and keep it to a moderate amount.
3. Dijon Mustard and Yogurt – Stir a big spoonful of Dijon or your favorite mustard (I enjoy horseradish mustard) into 1/4 to 1/2 cup of non-fat plain regular or Greek yogurt for a healthy dressing made in minutes. Increase taste and nutritional value by adding your favorite herbs and spices; my favorite combo is cumin, cayenne, garlic powder, and dill. Have fun, be creative, and see what you can make.
4. Avocado – Just chunks of plain avocado spread across and mixed into your salad gives you the creamy texture of those heavy dressings, but in the form of one ingredient, and a healthy one at that! To avoid it from turning brown to quickly, sprinkle a little lemon juice on top. Lemon juice also adds a little something extra to your salad with no cost to your calorie budget!
5. Vinegar – Unlike the bottled vinaigrettes with sugar and oil added, I go for the plain vinegar types. With varieties like red wine, balsamic, apple cider, and more, you’re bound to find one you like. It’s strong enough to where you don’t need much, and goes well if you’re using avocado or nuts and/or seeds. The fat you’re getting from these offers more nutrition than the processed oil in dressing.
6. Papaya Seeds – Yes, you read right, seeds from the papaya fruit. I love to buy fresh papaya, cut it into chunks and freeze for appetizing blender concoctions; but what about all of the seeds in the middle? Unlike the fruit that encompasses them, the seeds have a pleasant peppery taste which pairs well on salads. Try it. Papayas are easy to prepare; just peel the soft skin, cut down the middle, and viola, you have the seeds! Scoop out the seeds and keep in an airtight container in the fridge; then enjoy fresh papaya as you’d like.
Not only are these healthy ways to top your salad, but they are interesting and even fun to try. I’ve used all of these and even mix several at a time to come up with new flavors. Try setting out different options to have your kids try ones they are most interested in, they will have fun creating their own “dressing”.
Above all, these can be used year round, so don’t limit yourself to just special occasions; reap the benefits of healthy choices every day! If you’re in the U.S., have a happy and safe Fourth of July!
Since I can’t have a post without giving you at least one pic of Avery, here’s what she’ll be doing for the 4th….
I’ll have a breast milk martini….shaken, not stirred.
Have you used any of these as salad dressings before? Do you have any others?
Do you have any plans for July 4th?Going Mom, Avery, and I are going to G-Ma’s house to watch fireworks in the neighborhood and enjoy each other’s company. This will be our first 2-night stay with Avery, so hope it goes well!
Are we all so desperate that we have to rely on frozen processed food to feed our kids and ourselves? There are many products I can (and most likely will) speak on for being unhealthy snack options, but today I’m focusing on the ever popular frozen pizza rolls/bites. Mainly, Bagel Bites (H.J. Heinz) and Totino’s (General Mills).
Have you seen the Totino’s commercial with a mom on the phone with her hungry kids? I first saw it about a year and a half ago, but I’m sure there’s still something similar playing now.
The kids are looking for something in the freezer and are saying there’s nothing to eat, but of course Totino’s is right in front of their face. Apparently her kids are too dumb to see the bright yellow packaging until she tell them the exact location. Then they are all happy and the kids go off to make their food-like substance pizza rolls.
Here is the nutrition info for their basic cheese party pizza…
….and that’s the one with the least ingredients!
The seemingly most popular pepperoni pizza rolls look even worse….
….and you know being little bites that it’s easy to go over the standard serving size.
Bagel Bites are the lesser of evils here, but still have no place being called real food. They even pit themselves against Totino’s in an ad trying to make us (the consumer) feel like the are the better (and only) option. No thanks to either.
And really? Are they assuming we’re stupid and only eating cheese? NO! Here are the rest of Bagel Bites’ ingredients:
Unfortunately, I am guilty of having these years ago and sure, they tasted good. But, I was also fat and out of shape. Now I make plenty of delicious snacks that taste great and offer wholesome nutrition I feel good about.
Right now we’re just starting to get Avery into eating solids through baby-led weaning, but soon she’ll be helping daddy cook in the kitchen and I can’t wait to teach her the benefits of real food. I will show her the frozen non-food “food” when we shop and explain how and why they are not a good food option.
Some, okay, a lot of people might call me anal when it comes to food, but why shouldn’t I be? You don’t know what you’re getting when someone is preparing food for you and I’m not okay with that. I am more at peace when I make everything myself and know exactly what goes into my meals.
The few times I do go out, it is rare to actually get what I order via special request. I don’t get why, because it’s usually asking to do less than the original menu item. If I get a salad, I ask for no dressing, cheese, croutons, and oils on the side. Sometimes that salad arrives with a seemingly extra amount of each!
I could make a full post over this (maybe I will), but for now my message is that I will not succumb to feeding our beautiful girl any processed junk. I realize many parents face time constraints, but obtaining healthier options is not that difficult.
This is why I’m working to start Avery on healthy veggies now and trying to put off the sweeter foods like bananas and other fruits. I will definitely share the joys of sweet fruits, but it’s veggies first. My mode of thinking is that she will grow up only knowing these nutritious foods and not craving something she can just throw in the microwave and mindless munch on while watching TV.
There will be more of these posts as Avery grows and I hope I am able to help parents strive to offer better, nutritious food for their little ones and themselves! I am already nervous about how I can keep her from having anything containing the worst ingredients in processed food when at a friend’s home or at school, but luckily, I have some time.
Back to the pizza rolls/bites; you can quickly make your own that can be frozen or cooked as needed with simple ingredients. Here are a few easy and healthy recipes to try with whole grain tortillas:
