Monday, August 24, 2009

Entertainment in St. Louis- Herbaria Soaps (WINNER UPDATED)

Okay, so soap making may not be the first thing that comes to mind for entertainment in St. Louis. Afterall, there are plenty of pro-sports teams, cool jazz joints, and other rambunctious activties. Nevertheless, I highly recommend you check out Herbaria, a little soap company on The Hill where scents of lavender and peppermint win the sensory battle of a ten foot section of the charming streets, leaving you clammering to get into the door for a better whiff. And, whiff you may...

There are plenty of sniffs to go 'round like those of Lycopene Tomato, Indonesian Safflower, and Patchouli Hemp ( to name a few.) You can even pick up some incredible handmade soap dishes to hold it all in.


The cool thing is, they give tours of how everything is made and are completely welcoming.

I love that every product is made independently and free of chemicals- we're talking pure vegetable goodness here. I also love that Herbaria granted me my first "paid" photography gig- trade photos for their website for free soap and THAT, friends, is a gift I'm passing along to you.
All you have to do is leave a comment telling me what recipe you'd like me try and make next and you're entered to win a bar of Avocado Lemon soap!
"What? You're giving away a bar of soap??" This isn't just any soap, people. Husby will attest to the quality and let me just say, he doesn't give a flip about soap...usually. The Herbaria Licorice Bar has him won over for good. I really wish I liked black licorice because it makes the entire bathroom smell like it. That's some good soap.
They were slicing up freshly made Avocado Lemon bars while we were there so this is your chance to get a piece of it.
Winner will be randomly drawn using random.org and announced on Thursday morning ( 8.27.09) I'll accept entries until the very moment I get up on Thursday morning ( around 7:00ish, give or take a snooze.)
Now go come up with something good for me to make!
UPDATE: April!- You are the lucky winner of a bar of Avocado Lemon Soap! Random.org had the harrowing job of randomly picking 1-4 entries and you got it. Congrats. Now, go take a shower.

8 comments:

Jen<3 said...

You should try the pautchoulli ( I mudered that word) hemp! Then see if u can make a rasberry lemon and then something that has purple and teal in it, that would be beautiful! That's my suggestion :)

April said...

I love good scents...and soap! Here's what you can make: "Chicken Spinach Lasagna". Here's what you do:

1-10 oz. package frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
2 c. cooked chicken shredded or cubed
2 c. grated cheddar cheese
1/3 c. chopped onion
1 T. cornstarch
salt & pepper
1 T. soy sauce
1-10 oz. can cream of mushroom soup
1 c. sour cream
1-4.5 oz. jar of sliced mushrooms
1/3 c. mayo
6 lasagna noodles, cooked
1 c. grated parmesan cheese
1 c. chopped pecans

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. In a lg bowl, combine spinach, chicken, cheddar cheese, onion, cornstarch, salt & pepper, soy sauce, sour cream, mushrooms, and mayo. Put a layer of noodles in the bottom of a greased 13x9 lasagna pan. Spread half of the mixture over noodles. Place another layer of noodles on top and cover w/remaining spincah mixture. Sprinkle parmesan cheese and pecans on top. Bake for 1 hr. Serves 12.

This dish is one that might even taste better the next day b/c the flavors have time to settle. You can lighten it up with reduced fat cheese and sour cream also. Enjoy!

Tasha said...

I want you to make ravioli. Not Chef Boyardee ravioli, mind you, but handmade ravioli. Perhaps you could use your handy dandy pasta maker a certain special someone bought you that you've used approximately one single measly time.

Now, give me some soap!

April said...

Mmmm! Tasha's ravioli does sound good....I've got another one for you to try. This time I'll email it to you instead of taking up all of your space! It's "Penne w/Chicken, Asparagus & Lemon Alfredo Sauce." Man, I'm a carbaholic.

dz said...

Love handmade soap...especially the kind with oats and lavender buds and such inside.

I say you should make shrimp vindaloo because I'm craving it...would make it if i weren't crabby and tired!!

Traveling Spork said...

Thanks for the recipe, April! I'm a sucker for recipes with cream of mushroom soup. It sounds good.

Jen- HA! I meant for food. Now, I'm on a mission to make something purple and teal for you, pal.

Tasha- I've used it TWICE! Once to great esteem, the other we had to make an emergency trip to the walmart for some noodles...'member? REMEMBER??!!

DZ- I had to google "Shrimp Vindaloo." Thanks so much for the suggestion, that looks great! Do you have a fave recipe for it?

Tasha said...

Was that on the same night you had to throw away your underwear again?

Traveling Spork said...

And THAT's the perfect application of the ol' conversation ender.
Well done, grasshopper.