Hi everyone

I'm wanting a fudge recipe (preferably chocolate) for my daughter to make.  It shouldn't use condensed milk, as she would have to make that first to do so (lactose intolerance in the family means we can't have the canned stuff).   So we're looking for a recipe which uses cream and/or butter rather than condensed milk, please.

We have a TM5 now, which might make fudge easier? (no idea, thought I'd heard this somewhere)

Can anyone help?

I got this recipe from https://crafts.tutsplus.com/articles/how-to-make-a-simple-shea-butter-lotion--craft-8049

I was originally trying to find a natural eczema cream for DD2, but have gone on to make this into my go to body lotion, a replacement for Aqueas cream for DD2's bathtime  (I've probably spelled that wrongly), and making a thinner version which goes into a pump dispenser (previously liquid soap dispenser) to use after washing hands.

I also use it as an intensive face moisturiser once or twice a week, with great results.

It can be made substantially thinner by simply using more water and glycerine.  I make it richer for DD2 by making it as is, or by sticking to the richer, slower to absorb oils.  I make it lighter and more quickly absorbed for my daily use by including hemp oil, apricot oil and grapeseed oil to replace some of the coconut (or sometimes just in addition to). 

It has proven to be very versatile and forgiving, allowing me to mess about with it successfully.  Next time I'm going to boil some marigold flowers for a while, and then use the water from that as the 'filtered water', as marigold is very healing for sensitive skin.

Anyway, here goes with the original version:

(makes 200g)

Water Phase

130g distilled water.
5g vegetable glycerin.

Oil Phase

10g shea butter (any kind).
20g fractionated coconut oil.
10g sweet almond oil.
10g emulsifying wax.
Cool Down Phase

1g preservative (I’m using Vitamin E oil, and I just squeeze a splosh in).
10 drops lavender essential oil or other skin-safe fragrance (optional.  I don't add any in DD2's jar, only in mine.  So I stir it through at the end after I've poured 1 jar off).

Directions:

To start you want a very clean Thermomix so that there is no contamination. She washes hery Thermomix bowl with 100ml of vinegar and 500ml of water and heat on Varoma, 5mins, Sp 4.  If I've just taken it out of the Dishwasher then I don't bother.  If it's been sat there, or used for something else, then I do.

Place the filtered water and glycerin in the TM bowl.  Heat to 70'/2 minutes/Sp 3

Pour into empty jug until needed.

Add oil phase ingredients to TM bowl making sure the wax pellets aren't sitting on the blades (or they won't melt). Heat to 70 for 2 minutes, Sp 3.

Insert butterfly and place lid on top with MC inverted.  Start your Thermomix at 5mins/70'/Sp 4. 

Slowly pour the water phase onto the top of the lid.  When you are adding the water, add it slowly to start with and then you can speed it up, just like a mayonnaise.  You want it all to mix for another couple of minutes after you have incorporated all of the water.

When it is finished it is very runny, nothing like a cream.  Don't fear!  Pour it into your sterilised containers and let it set with the lid off. 

Make sure you wash your bowl, lid, MC and butterfly in hot soapy water immediately. When I make moisturiser I actually pop these all (minus the blades) in the dishwasher (after running my finger round and using the 'scrapings' to rub into my arms, hands and legs - waste not want not )

It is best to keep your cream away from sunlight and only use clean hands to dip into it.

It's a bit like whipped cream when it sets, and it's lovely.

These are the original lady's comments:

You can add some essential oils into the oil phase if you like but I don't.  I add mine after.

I often make a batch, or a double batch, pour and let it set. Then I doctor up each little jar to suit the end purpose or recipient. 

For example, I make several small jars for my children simply to use as a carrier for their essential oil blends.  I have one for sleeping, one for mosquito bites, one for studying etc.  They each have a little first aid kit in their bedrooms.

  Then I make up a cream for my husband, it is scented with more masculine oils. 

Into my own I love to add some of the more nourishing oils like rosehip and camellia with some essential oils like lavender, orange and rosemary.

TMX notes came from http://mymelbournethermo.com.au/2013/10/handmade-moisturiser-in-thermomix/

It's slightly greasy, but amazingly moisturising.

One of my customers is thinking of buying the In The Mix book, but wanted to know whether all the ingredients were accessible in the UK, or whether they would be Australia only things (I guess like Crio Bru).  As I  don't have the book I wasn't sure, so I thought I'd ask you lovely ladies and gents as you're bound to know 

She's wanting to make Saturday night meals which are special - is this the right book for her?

Hi everyone,
I'm on a low carb diet which is working very well both to lose weight and to control my blood sugar which had become a bit all over the place (I'm not diabetic but my body was increasingly thinking of going that way and the Dr had an eye on it).  It avoids low fat and artificial things which is good for me, but it does allow/use Splenda.  I've always just used small amounts of raw natural sweeteners, and Splenda is a new and unknown quantity to me.  What are your opinions of it?  I'm trying to decide whether to go ahead and use it or not.

Hi guys,
I was just searching for thermomix images for the cover of a personal cookbook I'm printing, and came across this site

http://tienda.decotmx.com/epages/tienda_decotmx_com.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/tienda_decotmx_com/Categories/%22Adhesivos%20Thermomix%20TM31%22 
(actually via a German one originally).

It sells stickers to personalise your Thermomix.  I got a real kick out of it and a bit of a laugh.  Then I started to look at them closer and would really quite like some of the ones in Vinyl Sticker Themes / Flowers.

Still, I guess as I'm a demonstrator I need to leave my one looking just how it is - oh well.  I'm tickled by the idea, though.

Oh Forumthermomix, how many ways do I love thee?

Well, now there's a new way - via the tapatalk app on my iPad, thanks to MM getting the site set up for it.  Thanks again, MM!

The moment he told me it was set up I downloaded tapatalk to try it out (I think it was £1.90, having now bought it I can't go back to check as it just tells me I have it  )  I could see straight away that it was good.  But only this morning did I fully appreciate HOW good.

I don't get much time on my computer anymore between the demands of DD2 and DD1's desire to be on my computer (usually doing legitimate things which I can't argue with, and only occasionally playing).  But I do get a bit of time each day on my iPad.

Now, I know that it's possible to browse the forum using safari on the ipad - that's what I've been doing.  But it isn't particularly enjoyable.  So I've not been so very much in touch with all you lovely forum members in the last year or so.  ALL THAT IS CHANGED!!  Of course, now my forum addiction is resurfacing, so I'm going to need to watch that and look out the number to FTA (ForumThermomix Anonymous).  I sat down to give myself 10 minutes reading the forum, and looked up 1.5 hours later (oops!)

Everything is so clear, easy to read and navigate - all in all, an absolute pleasure.  I knew that using a forum reader app would make a difference, I just didn't realise quite how much.  It's way better than reading it on my computer, never mind via safari on my iPad IMHO.

The negative - you can't post replies    Although you can read and reply to your PMs.  With any luck tapatalk will add this feature.  And another app, forum reader, says that adding SM based forums like this one is next on its list (although I'm not holding my breath).  There is a free read only version of that app, and a paid version which lets you post too.

In the meantime, at least there's ONE app which we can use, and the forum is now set up for it.  And I can jump on my computer for a few minutes to reply when I want to.

I am one very happy camper, it's like sitting down with a really great food magazine which is full of my internet friends.

In summary, I like it.  Can you tell?

I wonder if any of you wonderful Australian forum members can help me?  I'm looking for a couple of good internet shops where I can browse for gifts for the Australian contingent of my family.  I'm completely used to doing almost all of my shopping via Amazon, but Australia doesn't have its own Amazon, so it's all shipped from the States and often costs as much or more than the present 

But there must surely be great sites IN Australia where postage is reasonable?  Presents might be the classic books and DVDs, etc, but also include toys, cooking gear - you name it.  So in the absence of Amazon I'd probably need to use several sites, I'm guessing.  Can you recommend any to me?

Hi everyone,

DD1 wants to try being vegetarian for a bit to see how she gets on.  Does anyone have ideas of things I could try?  She's a bit anti-beans but i think i could get away with some if the meal overall was very tasty.  She enjoys tasty things so long as they aren't spicy - she's ok with something like a very mild korma.

As she has been picky with veg for the last year i very much want to encourage her in this - she's wanting to be more adventurous since seeing Hugh F-Ws veg program.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas, as I'm a bit frozen by being used to her rejecting veggies and anything adventurous.  But I think this could be the beginning of her return to the eater she used to be (I hope!!)