Valentine's Day: Easy Shaving Cream Art Project

One of the nice surprises we encountered while visiting the Offshore Energy Center was the shaving cream art project.   You see, shaving cream is made from petroleum.  Among many other items we use and see on a daily basis.

There are non-petroleum shaving foams out there if you choose to use those instead.

But, if you happen to have a canister of white, foamy cream and aren't sure what you might do with it (other than use it for shaving), you can create some very pretty Valentine's Day cards.

You will need:

• shaving cream
• toothpick
• food coloring
• plate
• cardstock or other paper (not overly porous)
• sharpie marker
• scraper

Spray some shaving cream onto the plate.  Add a touch of food coloring (red makes a nice pink).  Start mixing with the toothpick, but do not over mix.  You want the shaving cream to have a mixture of white, pink and a little red.

Using a rectangular piece of paper folded into a card, draw and/or write what you wish on the front and back of the card.

Place the closed card onto the paper plate and make sure the cream ends up covering the entire card.

Use the scraper to scrape off the cream.  

What is left behind will be a fancy design that will dry onto the card.  

You can use any color you wish and create some very pretty designs.  Clean-up is very easy, and your room will smell so lovely!

Young Chefs Academy

*~* Salt and Vinegar Chips and Green Beans *~*

Chef Brendan made these at Young Chefs Academy in Baton Rouge, LA.  Mom and Dad got the class for him for Christmas and he really enjoyed it.  The class was under $30 and lasted about 2 hours.  He was only one of 5 kids there that night, but that can change depending on the night.

Sour was the theme, so the group made Salt & Vinegar Chips and Green Beans, Savory Kraut Strudel, and Sour Patch Cupcakes.  Amazingly, Brendan ate all of it once the meal was ready.

Our wanna-be chef had fun and has not stopped talking about the class since that night.  The place was clean, bright, and the staff was attentive and friendly.  Young Chefs Academy has locations in several states.
You can find them in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia.  And I believe they are looking for more franchises.

Tonight, we remade the Salt and Vinegar Chips and Green Beans. If you like vinegar, you'll like these.

Cut potatoes thinly (a mandolin is best), cover potatoes and fresh green beans in vinegar, bring to a boil then cook for 5 minutes,  cover and let sit for 30 minutes off heat.

Drain and pat dry on paper towel.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Bake on sheet for 10 minutes or until crispy.  (Different thicknesses for the potatoes may have some burn and some undercooked.)

Eat.  If you like vinegar, you'll like these.  The green beans burst with flavor.

Chef Brendan filling the cupcake tins and cutting apple for the strudel.