Summer time means an endless number of outdoor activities for you to enjoy with your friends and family. To make sure you don’t miss anything, Real Simple put together a list of the Top 50 Summer Activities.
Here are our top 5 must-do’s:
Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke
This Father’s Day, get outside and barbecue! We’ve put together a Creole Spice Rub from our JR Watkins spice rack that is sure to please Dad’s palate. This dry rub works best with beef tenderloin and can be adjusted to your desired taste.
Ingredients:
Preparation:
Combine dry ingredients and rub evenly over steaks. Grill until at your desired cooked state.
Hosting a dinner party in the near future? This chicken recipe is the perfect savory entrée that will leave your guests wondering when they get to come back!
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F). Rinse chicken; pat dry. Place chicken on rack in large roasting pan. Stir oil and next 7 ingredients in small bowl to form paste. Rub spice paste all over chicken. Roast chicken 1 hour. Squeeze juice from lemon halves over chicken; place lemon halves inside main cavity. Continue to roast until chicken is cooked through and thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175 degrees (F), about 1 hour longer. Transfer to platter; let rest 15 minutes.
Photo credit: Mike Monaghan
With the balmy breezes and sun-kissed skin of summer comes a definite need for tousled hair that looks straight off the beach! While there are multiple beauty products that claim to give you those sweet and soft textured waves, it’s easy to make your own with just a few at-home ingredients. Save your cash for that bikini you’ve been eyeing instead!
Here’s what you’ll need:
Put all of the ingredients in spay bottle and shake well before each use. Spray generously over hair after just-conditioned damp tresses and — voila! — you’re a beach babe on the go.
In 1917 Watkins introduced a soap product called, Pure Vegetable Oil Soap. The soap contained no animal by-products, fillers or colors with a tagline that read “Pure enough to eat!”
Today we carry two great lines of hand soap: Foaming Hand Soaps and Liquid Hand Soaps! Check out the scents and lines – we’d love to hear what you think!
Spoiler: look for new products this year!
For on-the-go snacking or movie nights in, these Baked Tortilla Chips are a Watkins tradition. Bonus: they’re easy to make!
Ingredients
Directions
Cut tortillas into 8 wedges each. Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with seasoning. Bake at 450 degrees (F) for 6 minutes or until crisp, but not brown.
Makes 10 servings.
Planning a fiesta this summer? Our cumin rubbed chicken tacos are sure to spice things up!
Cumin Rubbed Shredded Chicken
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
1 tsp. Watkins Cumin
½ tsp. Watkins Chili Powder
½ tsp. Watkins Sea Salt, ground
¼ tsp. Watkins Paprika
2 tbsp. Watkins Original Grapeseed Oil
Salsa
1 (16 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 large tomato, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 Anaheim or poblano pepper, diced
1/3 cup red onion, finely chopped
4 green onions, chopped
1 tbsp. Watkins Salsa & Sour Cream Snack & Dip Seasoning
1 tbsp. cilantro
1 tsp. Watkins Cumin
1 tsp. Watkins Garlic Powder
1 tbsp. Watkins Garlic and Parsley Grapeseed Oil
Shredded lettuce for garnish
Chicken Directions
Rub chicken breast with spices. In a large skillet sauté chicken in grapeseed oil. Cook over medium high heat, turning once, for 10 to 12 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Shred chicken for tacos, enchiladas or fajitas.
Salsa Directions
Combine all ingredients and serve on top of tacos with lettuce.
Something we’re really proud of here at J.R. Watkins is our history. In honor of #tbt, we thought we’d share a few fun facts from the past 100+ years! For more of our history, check out the timeline on our brand new website.
1868: Introducing Liniment, our very first product. Fun fact: it’s still sold today!
1912: Construction was completed and we moved into our administration building located in Winona, Minnesota! Fun fact: this building is still our headquarters.
1928: We were awarded gold medals for our Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon and Black Pepper. Fun fact: you can still find these on our packaging today!
2011: We opened our very first retail store, located in Orange County, California!
We love our rich history and enjoy hearing fond memories from fans, as well. What is your favorite Watkins memory?
Ready for BBQs and picnics this summer? Bring this side to complete the meal!
Ingredients
¼ cup rice wine vinegar
1 tbsp Watkins Original Grapeseed Oil
2 tsp soy sauce
2 tsp sugar
1½ tsp Watkins Ginger
1½ tsp toasted sesame seeds
To taste, Watkins Black Pepper
3 cups broccoli coleslaw mix (shredded hearts of broccoli, carrots and cabbage)
¾ cup fresh bean sprouts, rinsed and drained
¾ cup sliced fresh mushrooms
½ cup chopped red bell pepper
Directions
In a small bowl, combine vinegar, grapeseed oil, soy sauce, sugar, ginger, sesame seeds and pepper. In large bowl, combine broccoli slaw mix, bean sprouts, mushrooms and red pepper. Pour dressing over top and toss lightly. Refrigerate until serving time. Drain before serving.
Makes 6 servings.
Image found at: http://bit.ly/11FvnyR
Out of a spice with no time to run to the store? Check out these substitutions!
If a recipe calls for:
And just like that, your recipe is saved!
Sun protection is important all year long, but especially now as the summer season quickly approaches! Lather on the sunscreen!
Life Time Fitness’ new race series, Esprit de She, is the nation’s premier athletic event series for women and J.R. Watkins is thrilled to be one of the partners! In the coming weeks, we’ll be giving away entries to some of the races. To see the full list, visit here: http://www.espritdeshe.com/events.
Today we are giving away TWO entries to Minneapolis area running races; either the 50th and France 5k on July 25th or the Maple Grove 5k/10k on September 19th (your choice!). Interested? YOU could be the winner! Here’s how to enter:
Winners will be randomly selected (using the Random.org tool) the week of May 13 and notified. Good luck!
(Additional race entries will be given away here on the blog in the coming weeks – stay tuned for details!)
Yum! This tasty treat is light and perfect for an afternoon snack or a party dip!
Ingredients
½ cup finely-chopped walnuts
1 package reduced-calorie cream cheese
½ cup reduced-calorie sour cream
1 package bleu cheese, crumbled
1 tbsp chopped pimentos
1 tbsp minced green pepper
½ tsp Watkins Garlic Powder
½ tsp Watkins Onion Powder
Dash Watkins Black Pepper
Pan-roast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium-high heat, shaking skillet and/or stirring constantly, until golden brown. Cool slightly. Beat cream cheese in bowl until smooth and creamy. Blend in sour cream, bleu cheese, walnuts and remaining ingredients; mix well.
Spoon into attractive serving dish. Keep refrigerated. Makes 2 cups.
Serve with unsalted crackers, party rye or French bread.
One of our staple products, perfect for every season, is our line of Sugar & Shea Body Scrubs. The best part? They do double duty. Not only do they exfoliate, they also moisturize and rehydrate your skin! Have you tried them?
Ingredients
2 ½ to 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
½ tsp Watkins Garlic Powder
½ tsp Watkins Curry Powder
¼ tsp Watkins Purest Ground Cinnamon
1/8 tsp Watkins Black Pepper
Freshly ground, to taste Watkins Coarse Sea Salt
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
Directions
Combine lemon juice with all ingredients except chicken; mix well. Add chicken and turn to coat all sides. Allow to marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes. Grill or broil chicken 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
We’re matching our favorite scents with our nail color this season. Check out some of our best pairings this spring (all OPI colors can be found on OPI.com)!
Grapefruit Sugar & Shea Body Scrub and hot pink nail polish gets us in the mood for spring outings!
Lavender Body Oil Mist and lavender nail polish are staples for relaxing getaways or nights in at home!
Lemon Cream Hand & Body Lotion and bright yellow nails motivate us to spring clean (and remind us of sunny days ahead when skies are grey).
Mango Hand Cream and coral nails help us pretend we are on spring break and remind us of blooming flowers!
Coconut Milk & Honey Body Butter and pale white polish reminds us of sun, surf and sand!
What colors are you pairing with scents this year?
We can’t wait for things like sandals, lazy beach afternoons and time spent outdoors. Until then, we’re prepping by getting our toes in tip-top shape! Our best trick? Softening feet with our Foot Repair Salve and Rejuvenating Foot Cream (bonus: it smells minty-fresh!). Add a pretty polish and your feet are ready to be seen!
Image found at: http://bit.ly/13V36dp
Spices do much more than add flavor to food! Check out a few of our favorite tips and fun facts:
What’s your go-to spice tip?
Spice Rub
1 tbsp Watkins Black Pepper
1 tbsp Watkins Cumin
1 tsp Watkins Chili Seasoning
2 tsp Watkins Curry Powder
2 tsp Watkins Sea Salt, freshly ground
1 tsp Watkins Paprika
1 tsp allspice
½ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp Watkins Cinnamon
1 lb. sirloin, cut 1-inch cubes, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms or vegetables of choice into chunks. In small bowl, stir together rub ingredients. Sprinkle sirloin with about 2 tbsp of the spice rub. Reserve remaining rub in an airtight container for future use. Thread beef onto skewers along with vegetables. Grill or broil turning occasionally, until meet is cooked to desired doneness, about 5-7 minutes. Serve atop a bed of couscous or rice.
We’ve got a lemon surprise coming your way this year! Can you guess what it will be?
Clear Vanilla Extract is perfect for baking white cakes and treats and now you can stock up on it with this deal – just in time for Easter!
Image found at http://bit.ly/ZWtJqm
Springtime finds us obsessing over the freshness of grapefruit. (Hint: we have grapefruit scents in both our personal care line AND our home care line!) Are you using the scent this season?
Getting packed for a spring break trip? Check out this article from Her Packing List to figure out which electronics you really need (and which ones can stay at home). Please share your travel images with us – we’re experiencing some wanderlust this month in Minnesota. (And don’t forget your Sunscreen!)
(photo courtesy of Caroline at herpackinglist.com)
Tomorrow is the first day of spring. We know cleaning may not be your activity of choice but it will help you kick off the season on a positive note! Our tips for making it fun? Blast your favorite tunes, open the windows (if you can) and get the whole family to help! The job will be done in no time.
It was just our luck that we stumbled across Laura from Real Mom Kitchen’s recipe for a copy cat Shamrock Shake days before St. Patrick’s Day. Our Peppermint Extract is the perfect ingredient to give this shake a delicious minty flavor!
(image courtesy of Laura at Real Mom Kitchen)
Copy Cat Shamrock Shake
Place the ingredients in the order listed above in a blender. Start out with the 1/4 tsp extract and taste after blending to see if you want a stronger mint flavor, if so add another 1/4 tsp extract.
Blend in the blender until smooth. Pour mixture into 2 glasses and top with whipped cream and sprinkles if desired. Makes 2 shakes.
Get your skin ready to be shown off in upcoming seasons by taking advantage of our March specials for Body Oil Mists and Hand and Cuticle Salves. Click here for more info on how to stock up and save!
1/2 cup sliced onion
1/2 cup cup sliced fresh mushrooms
6 asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp Watkins Garlic & Parsley Grapeseed Oil
1/2 lb uncooked medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and cut in half
1 tsp Watkins Oregano
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese
Packaged Pizza Crust Mix
Heat grapeseed oil in a skillet and sauté vegetables until almost tender. Add shrimp; cook until the shrimp turn pink and remove from heat. Prepare pizza crust as directed. Spread the pizza crust with sauce and top with the shrimp mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake the pizza mix as directed.
We love finding treats around the web! Here are a few we collected in the past week.
Image source: http://bit.ly/15UdD6V
We keep seeing these rings featured on all our favorite fashion blogs. We want!
This reminder.
Friendly DIY art projects.
This chevron nail art trend.
A pretty corner sitting area.
And our all-time favorite mani-prep product.
What is catching your eye lately?
It’s not quite grilling season here in Minnesota but we are ready to sink our teeth into some Baby Back Ribs! Why wait until a summer BBQ to enjoy some rib-goodness - baking them in the oven will get the job done! The secret truly is in the sauce.
Recipe
5 lbs pork loin back ribs
2 cups water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup Watkins Gourmet Original Barbecue Sauce
1 - 1/2 tsp Watkins Garlic Powder
1 - 1/2 tsp Watkins Seasoning Salt
Root Beer Barbecue Sauce:
2/3 cup Watkins Gourmet Original Barbecue Sauce
2 tsp Watkins Root Beer Extract
1/2 tsp Watkins Ginger
1/4 tsp allspice
Preheat over to 350ºF/180ºC. Place ribs in large, shallow roasting pan, bone side down. Combine water, vinegar, and barbecue sauce pour over ribs. Sprinkle with garlic granules and seasoning salt. Cover and bake for 1 to 1 ½ hours or until ribs are tender. Let cool. (Ribs can be covered and chilled at this point if you wish to make them ahead.) Bake at 400ºF/200ºC for 20 to 30 minutes or until warm and tender. Brush the ribs with Watkins Root Beer Barbecue Sauce.
Feeling like winter months wreak havoc on your lips? Avoid dryness but keep the color by trying our J.R. Watkins Lip Tints. With colors like Tickled Pink and Scarlet Sunset, we are sure to have something that suites your pout!
Fresh air is just around the corner! Seriously, it won’t be too much longer and spring will finally be here! Until then, spritz our Room Sprays throughout your home (trust us – they’ll get you through until open-window weather).
It’s soup weather! Warm up with our favorite French Onion Soup recipe!
5 medium onions
3 tbsp butter or margarine
1½ quarters water
¼ cup Watkins Beef Soup & Gravy Mix
1 tbsp Watkins Onion Soup & Gravy Mix
¼ tsp Watkins Black Pepper
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
¼ tsp Watkins Thyme
6 slices French bread
1 cup shredded cheese (Swiss or Cheddar)
Peel and thinly slice onions. Heat 3 tbsp butter in a heavy 3-quart saucepan over low heat; add onions and cook slowly. Stir until golden in color, about 10 minutes. Gradually add in water, soup bases and seasonings. Bring to a boil; cover and simmer about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, toast one side of the bread, under oven broiler, until golden brown. Butter untoasted side and sprinkle slices with ¼ cup cheese; broil until cheese is melted. To serve; spoon hot soup into oven-proof bowls or mugs; float French bread slices on top and sprinkle with remaining cheese, broil until cheese is bubbly and brown.
Serve and enjoy!
Image found at http://bit.ly/YdE54c
February is the month of love and we’re crushing on many things right now. Below we rounded up a few of our favorite finds from the web and, of course, the perfect Valentine’s Day Watkins treat.
Last-minute Valentine’s Day gift: we love these!
Fun date ideas (not just for Valentine’s Day!).
Fashion finds for under $50? Yes please!
This perfect moment.
Globes, globes and more globes (we have serious wanderlust now!).
Emerald (Pantone color of the year!) + this ring = perfect pair. We’ll just have to dream about this one, though.
Chocolate + Valentine’s Day – you can’t have one without the other!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Have you heard? We’re on Instagram! Come follow us @JR_Watkins for sneak peeks into everything Watkins!
Valentine’s Day is exactly a week away. Gift her (or him!) with a day to retreat. Earn bonus points and pick up one of our lavender products. After all, lavender is known for its relaxation powers!
Winter weather taking a toll on your hands? Keep a tube of our hand cream in arm’s reach at all times - on your desk at work, on your bedside table and near the kitchen sink. Not only will your hands thank you, but with all the yummy scents available, your nose will thank you too!
The Big Game is almost here! We’re looking forward to the game, but really, we’re most excited about all the yummy food that we eat while watching it! What are your favorite game-day treats? If you need some inspiration here are a few of our game-day go-to recipes straight from the J.R. Watkins cookbook!
Did you know that more chicken wings will be eaten on Sunday than any other day of the year? Make sure you don’t miss out on all the wingy goodness with our easy and delicious Glazed Chicken Wings:
Ingredients
12 whole chicken wings (about 2-1/2 pounds)
½ cup Watkins Original BBQ Sauce
½ cup honey
½ cup soy sauce
Directions
Cut chicken wings into three sections; discard wing tip section. Place in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Combine barbecue sauce, honey and soy sauce; pour over wings. Bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 50-60 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.
No football party could be complete without chips and dip! Try something new with J.R. Watkins’ Citrus & Black Bean Salsa:
Ingredients:
1 large tomato, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1/3 cup/80 mL red onion, finely chopped
1 small bunch scallions, chopped
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Cumin
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Garlic Powder
1 tbsp/15 mL cilantro
1 tbsp/15 mL Watkins Salsa & Sour Cream Snack & Dip Seasoning
1 tbsp/15 mL Watkins Citrus & Cilantro Grapeseed Oil
1 (16 oz/454 g) can black beans, drained and rinsed
Freshly ground Watkins Sea Salt
Directions:
Combine all ingredients: refrigerate for at least four hours before serving.
We love winter (J.R. Watkins is based in Minnesota, so we have no choice but to embrace it), but we also long for sunny days, bright flowers and open windows when the days get long.
Know the feeling? While we can’t make summer get here any faster, we do have a few ideas to help lift your spirits and combat those winter blues:
Photo Credit: Apartment Therapy http://bit.ly/10OjjyA
Any other ideas? We’d love to hear how you are making the season just a little bit brighter!
About this time last year we introduced the new J.R. Watkins Baby Care line, developed free of toxins and fragrances for baby’s delicate skin. The positive feedback we’ve received from customers, fans and editors (you might remember this big news for J.R. Watkins Baby Lotion) has been thrilling—and we’re excited to celebrate the 1-year milestone since launching the new product line.
Happy Birthday Baby Care!
Are you a new mom or mom-to-be? If you haven’t tried the products, rest assured our line is made with only natural, gentle ingredients like shea butter, olive oil and chamomile. Our product development team formulated the Baby Care line to meet or exceed the standards for certification by the Natural Products Association, so you can pamper baby’s skin without a worry.
Even better, J.R. Watkins Baby Care products are on special this month!
Product line includes:
Pull out those crock-pots, January is in full swing and it’s time to warm up with your favorite comfort food! While you’re preparing your favorite chilies and soups this winter, try bringing a little something extra to the table. Spice things up with Confetti Corn Bread from the Watkins Cookbook!
Confetti Corn Bread
1 package (14 oz/397 g) corn bread mix
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Onion Powder
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Parsley
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL Watkins Chili Powder
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Watkins Thyme
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup/250 mL water
2 tbsp/30 mL diced pimento
2 tbsp/30 mL diced canned green chiles
Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C. In large bowl, combine first five ingredients. In small mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients; add all at once to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Turn batter into an 8-inch/20-cm baking dish coated with Watkins Cooking Spray. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool and cut into squares.
Makes 9 servings.
We hope you haven’t caught the bug that’s making this flu season the worst we’ve seen in years. First and foremost, make sure you’re taking steps to protect yourself from sniffles and aches of flu and cold season. Hello, Vitamin C!
Whether you’re fighting off the fever or taking steps to stay healthy, you can always turn to Watkins for feel better remedies to help along the road to recovery.
You can find an array of Watkins Menthol Camphor remedies on special during the month January. Take care this season, rest up and stay healthy!
Have you decided to debut a new you this year? Or perhaps you’re dedicated to doing more for yourself in 2013. Sound familiar?
This year we’re dedicated to helping you keep that 2013 resolution. J.R. Watkins is now an official sponsor for a new athletic event series from Life Time Fitness, and we couldn’t be more excited to help introduce Esprit de She — The Spirit of Her Race Series — in its inaugural year!
Life Time Esprit de She — the nation’s premiere athletic event designed exclusively for women. Esprit de She events mix camaraderie with competition, offering a race for every pace and passion. Fueled by the spirit of her, Esprit de She is a lifestyle that lives beyond the finish line. We are a community of active women connected by a shared desire to celebrate fitness and fun, sisterhood and strength.
Esprit de She designs athletic events to challenge and define your personal best. What’s more, amplify your experience by inviting friends to share this fitness journey alongside hundreds of women like you! Esprit de She is delighted to present races accessible to all, concluding with signature, celebratory rendezvous.
The race series is developed around fitness-inspired “happy hour” 5K and 10K runs, cycle tours, duathlons and triathlons.
We’ve partnered with our friends at Life Time Fitness for quite some time, and we’re really thrilled about supporting this program because of its positive message. Why not celebrate fun, sisterhood and strength while getting in shape? Gather your gal pals and check out Esprit de She on Facebook and Twitter! We’ll keep you updated on how we’ll support this program throughout the year.
In the meantime, we know you’re destined for greatness – let’s do this!
Winter is the time of year for one of our most beloved ingredients to sparkle and shine—get excited, because it’s officially grapefruit season!
While fresh citrus is available at the grocery store year-round, now is the time to find perfectly pink, sweet grapefruit ripe for the season. And did you know they’re packed with Vitamin C? Treat yourself to a freshly squeezed juice or healthy grapefruit breakfast and keep those colds away!
Grapefruit season is also the perfect excuse to indulge in a few skincare beauty treats. Wait…what? Yes, it’s a great time to heal your dry winter skin with our Grapefruit Body Oil Mist and Grapefruit Sugar & Shea Body Scrub!
What a wonderful way to kick-start the New Year. Happy grapefruit season to all!
We can’t believe Christmas is only five days away! This weekend might get a little crazy with last minute shopping, wrapping and putting the final touches on your holiday delights. By now we hope you’re still in the holiday baking mood (it’s a joyous place to be) and ready to make a few last batches of scrumptious treats! Channel your seasonal spirit and try this traditional holiday recipe perfect for gifting and giving: Russian Tea Cakes from the Watkins Cookbook.
Ingredients
1 cup/250 mL butter, softened
1/2 cup/125 mL powdered sugar
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Pure Vanilla Extract
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Rum or Butter Pecan Extract
2 cups/500 mL sifted all-purpose flour
1 cup/250 mL finely-chopped walnuts, almonds or pecans
2 tbsp/30 mL half-and-half
Additional powdered sugar
Watkins Cinnamon
Directions
Beat butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Stir in flour, walnuts and half-and-half; beat until smooth.
Shape into 1-inch/25-mm balls and place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 400°F/200°C for 12 minutes or until set (but not brown).
Cool slightly, roll in powdered sugar and set on wire rack to cool. Mix additional powdered sugar, and cinnamon to taste; roll balls again in cinnamon/sugar mixture. Store in well-sealed containers.
Heard of Birchbox? You might already be a beauty box subscriber, or perhaps you’re new to the phenomenon that’s taken product sampling to a whole new level this past year.
For those who are new to the trend, here’s a quick rundown on how it works:
Birchbox is a really fun way to discover beauty and lifestyle products without breaking the bank. For $10 per month, you can become a Birchbox member and receive a monthly box filled with product samples tailored to your preferences—everything from skincare to makeup to grooming must-haves.
What a smart idea, right? We must confess, a few of us over at J.R. Watkins are Birchbox subscribers and just can’t get enough! That’s why we’re thrilled to have teamed up with the brand again this year. Subscribers just might find J.R. Watkins Hand & Cuticle Salve or Foot Repair Salve in December’s seasonally appropriate box!
And we’re gushing over the Watkins shout out in this month’s Birchbox Magazine! Wellness expert Melisse Gelula, co-founder of Well+Good NYC, offers some guidance on surviving the holidays, including taking care of your tootsies!
Take care of your tootsies
Your platform pumps are the life of the party, but your feet will feel the aftermath. To minimize the impact, try Gelula’s one-two punch: “Watch your salt intake to minimize swelling, and bring a pair of roll-up flats that you can switch into midway through the night.” If your feet need extra TLC, use a soothing cream like J.R. Watkins Peppermint Foot Salve at the end of the night.
Head on over to Birchbox.com and check it out! You’ll find beauty extras, tips from experts and great gifts for everyone on your list. And if you’re so inclined, look for J.R. Watkins Salve in the Birchbox shop!
Did you receive one of our salves in the December Box? We’d love to hear your feedback!
It’s the time of year when many of us start getting crafty in the kitchen, whether we’re baking traditional holiday treats or coming up with new ideas to wow the guests. If you’re strapped for time and looking for a quick and easy dessert, try our recipe for coconut fudge sauce. Best part: you can make this in advance and refrigerate for up to four weeks!
Serve warm or cold over your favorite holiday ice cream and voilà!
Ingredients
3/4 cup/180 mL evaporated milk
1 package (6 oz/170 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup/125 mL sugar
1-1/2 tsp/7.5 mL butter
2 tsp/10 mL Watkins Coconut Extract
Cooking Directions
Heat milk, chocolate chips and sugar in large saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until chocolate is melted and mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat; stir in butter and extract.
Pour into jars; cover tightly. Refrigerate no longer than 4 weeks. Serve warm or cold over ice cream. Makes 1-1/2 cups/375 mL.
Still looking for the perfect gift for someone special? Check out some of our favorite J.R. Watkins gifts with lavender essence, sure to surprise and delight!
Lavender Body Oil Mist (US $8.99, CN $9.99): For the natural beauty buff, or gal-pal that could use a little pick-me-up, our Lavender Body Oil Mist makes a lovely holiday beauty treat! This rich, moisturizing spray leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth. Formulated with apricot kernel oil and vitamin E to nourish your skin with essential nutrients it needs. Because the oil is quickly absorbed, it leaves a dry yet soft feeling on your skin.
Lavender Essentials Kit (US $13.99, CN $18.99): Our Lavender Essentials Kit is the perfect treat for your niece, sister or traveling family member. Contains two Lavender Hand & Body Lotions, one Lavender Bath Soak, two Lavender Hand Creams, two Lavender Hand & Cuticle Salves, one Raspberry Weatherproofing Lip Balm.
Calming Bath Soak (US $10.99, CN $12.99): Treat the friend who deserves a little “me time”, or the busy on-the-go mom on your list! Our award-winning Calming Bath Soak is the perfect way to wind down after a busy day—indulges the skin for a relaxing warm bath of lavender essence.
Natural Lavender Sink Set (US $17.99, CN $21.99): A fun, unique gift for mom, friends or the party host! Pamper them with the gift of naturally clean, soft hands with J.R. Watkins Lavender Sink Set featuring our Lavender Hand Soap & Body Lotion. This handsome caddy, made exclusively for J.R. Watkins, is sturdy, water-resistant and embossed with the J.R. Watkins logo. Perfect for display next to the kitchen or bathroom sink!
