The Natural Beauty Workshop

Margarita Salt Scrub

During our most recent employee workshop we made some deliciously scented salt scrubs and body creams, inspired by one of our favorite indulgences, the margarita! The first recipe I would like to share is the Margarita Salt Scrub.

Dead Sea Salt and Cold Pressed Lime Essential Oil made this salt scrub totally scrumptious. The Shea Butter Shower Gel Base acts as an emulsifier, and helps to provide an even appearance and fluffy texture to the scrub. For an all natural alternative, you can try using Liquid Castille Soap Base or Liquid Castille Shower Gel Base instead.

Margarita Salt Scrub

1/2 cup of Dead Sea Salt, Fine
1 oz Shea Butter Shower Gel Base
1 oz Fractionated Coconut Oil
2 ml of Lime, Cold Pressed, Mexico Essential Oil (40 drops)
Optional Colorant*
FD&C Yellow #6(3-5 drops) 
D&C Green #8(1-2 drops)

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the Fractionated Coconut Oil and Shea Butter Shower Gel Base. Mix these well, until thoroughly combined. Next, stir in the Dead Sea Salt. Add the colorant and essential oil and mix once more. Spoon into a sterile jar.

Packaging and Storage

The best storage container for this recipe would be a jar made from high density plastic. A PET or HDPE container should do well. Due to the essential oil content in this recipe, the plastic may erode over a long period of time. Since this recipe contains natural ingredients, it should be used long before this becomes an issue. However, I thought it would be worth mentioning just in case. For safety's sake, don't leave this jar of scrub on top of any expensive linens. You never know.

Usage

There are many scrubbing techniques out there, but this is one I am particularly find of. Step into the shower and before turning the water on, scrub your body all over! (Of course, avoiding very sensitive areas or broken skin.) When you are thoroughly scrubbed, turn the shower on and rinse. When the shower is over, make sure to moisturize your skin with a body oil, cream, or lotion.

Preservation

I will leave the preservation of this recipe up to you. The scrub can be made without any preservative, but this will be prone to contamination. If it is left unpreserved, I would suggest handling it with extreme care. Do not take the jar into the shower. Instead, use a clean spoon to scoop one serving at a time into a paper or plastic cup.

If you are using the Shea Butter Shower Gel, please be aware that is does contain parabens. However, this recipe has not been challenge tested, and the preservative content in the shower gel base may not be enough to thoroughly preserve the entire scrub. You can add further preservative to the remaining ingredients, if you choose to. Liquapar Oil would be a good choice if you are going with a chemical preservative. It can be added to 0.3 - 0.6% of the fractionated coconut oil, which is 1 oz. This would be a very minuscule amount.

If you are creating a natural scrub, using Castille soap, you may also want to consider adding some Grapefruit Seed Extract. This will act as an antibacterial agent, but it will not "preserve" the ingredients. It can be added to the formula at 0.5 to 1%. In this recipe that would be 1 drop. While this will help to fend off bacteria, it may be wise to still handle the product with extra care. Exposure to water may still compromise the formula's stability.

*To achieve a green hue with natural ingredients, steep 1 teaspoon of Parsley Powder in 4 ounces of warm Fractionated Coconut Oil for 30 - 60 minutes. Strain the herb from the oil using a cheese cloth. Use this colored Fractionated Coconut Oil in place of the oil in this recipe. No additional colorant should be needed. The excess oil can be stored in a clean bottle for later use.

Kaolin Clays

Kaolin Clays are some of the most versatile ingredients that you can use in natural skincare. They can be incorporated into soaps, body powders, facials, scrubs, or any number of other skincare products. Their variety of beautiful colors only add to their desirability to a formulator, or a home spa enthusiast. Kaolin Clays provide the natural skincare artist with a wonderful palette of colors and properties to draw from. The distinct colorings of these clays are quite striking when combined. Whether used for presentation, or in treatments, taking advantage of Kaolin Clays similar natures and gorgeous colorings present a unique opportunity to be creative.

White Kaolin Clay
The soft, fluffy texture and pure white appearance of White Kaolin Clay make it not only aesthetically pleasing, but ideal for mild exfoliation when used in a cleanser or scrub. This gentle clay is perfect for sensitive skin and is often used in shave creams or soaps for the silky slip that it provides. White Kaolin clay can be used as a face or body mask along with almost any wetting agent, including Hydrosols, purified water, or Aloe Vera Gel. Try adding milk, yogurt or even pureed cucumbers to your fresh masks. For sensitive skin treatments, Oatmeal and other grain products are great additions to White Kaolin Clay masks. 

Yellow Kaolin Clay
Like other Kaolin clays, Yellow Kaolin has mild absorption and a soft texture. While still being gentle, it provides slightly stronger absorption than is found in White Kaolin. It is safe for use on most skin types and therefore a very versatile skin care ingredient. It is even safe for use on sensitive skin. When used in a facial scrub, Yellow Kaolin Clay will act as a gentle cleanser and exfoliant, stimulating circulation, and leaving skin fresh and bright. The color of this clay is an earthy gold, making it an attractive additive for honey themed products.

Red Kaolin Clay
Red Kaolin has a considerably stronger drawing power than other Kaolin Clays. While most clays in the Kaolin variety are ideal for dry, sensitive, and normal skin types, Red Kaolin is more suitable for oily skin. It can make a great addition to acne masks or detoxifying body wraps. It's bold coloring, a dusty red orange, makes it an ideal additive for coloring heavy duty soaps. Due to it's strong drawing ability, Red Kaolin Clay should not be used in a facial more than once per week.

Pink Kaolin Clay
Red and White Kaolin have been skillfully combined to their ideal balance to create Pink Kaolin Clay. This beautiful clay is ideal for normal skin types due to its unique balance of properties. The Red Kaolin Clay provides a deep absorption of toxins and excess oil from the skin while the gentle White Kaolin keeps the skin from becoming irritated or overly dried. Unlike many cosmetic clays, Pink Kaolin has a very vibrant, bold color.  It can make a lovely addition to soaps, scrubs or dusting powders.

Rose Clay

Rose Clay is known best for its gentle nature, but its soft, exfoliating texture, and gorgeous color are also worth noting. Rose Clay is a mild Kaolin Clay that has been naturally tinted with red oxides. This results in the dusty rouge color that the clay was named for. Dry, sensitive, mature, and normal skin types can all be benefited by the use of Rose Clay. It is effective at drawing toxins and impurities from the skin, without harshly depleting the skin's moisture. It is also an efficient cleanser and exfoliant, making it a superb ingredient in gentle scrubs and facials.

One pound packages of Rose Clay are on sale at FromNatureWithLove.com during the month of November, 2007. Visit the Sales and Specials Section to view this, and other specially priced items!

Walk in Beauty

The Natural Beauty Workshop is proud to present the next in our series of featured customer interviews. Vicki Garland is the owner and sole operator of Walk in Beauty, a home based company that creates and sells natural, and naturally inspired personal care products, such as soaps, lotions, and more.

Vicki’s first passion was dance. She became dedicated to the art at a young age, while living in St. Louis, Missouri.  After majoring in Modern Dance during college, Vicki continued to follow her passion for dance until the unfortunate loss of her mother in 1971.

At that time, Vicki stepped away from dance and became interested in horticulture. Very soon, this interest became her life's next great passion. She spent many years in career horticulture, working in design, teaching classes, and guest speaking. Her love of horticulture inspired her to study aromatherapy, herbalism, and flower essences, as well as becoming certified in the field of permaculture. Organic gardening also became a serious hobby of Vicki’s.

In 1981, Vicki Garland made her very first soap with the help of a friend. Throughout the years to follow, Vicki continued to make soap for her family, including her two children, Damon and Charity Rose. Vicki’s daughter told her recently that she couldn’t remember ever using any other soap growing up than what her mother had made.

When Vicki’s children began college in 2003, she began to make soaps and other bath and body products with a renewed fervor. Vicki described how the creation of her business soon followed, and how it helped to heal her emotionally after many personal hardships, including the passing of her husband in 2002.

“With the nest emptied, I was clearing out the studio and began to feel an impetus to create things… big batches of soap, lotions, herbal potions, and little by little, as though bringing itself to life, Walk in Beauty was born. And the parts of my heart that needed healing were growing into life. It’s been such a healing process for me. Every time I go “to work” I feel a sense of inspiration, well-being, and intuition that I use in all the formulas. I hope the healing I receive in making these products also comes through to everyone that uses them!”
-Vicki Garland

Vicki was kind enough to share her story with us on The Natural Beauty Workshop. Her wonderful story was followed by some intriguing questions and answers.

What are some of the signature products and elements of Walk in Beauty?
The Harmony Elixir Sprays and the Blessings line may best represent the unique aspect that Walk in Beauty brings to the natural beauty industry. Not only do I go to great lengths to create pure, synthetic and chemical-free products for positive physical benefits, there is an uplifting psychological and spiritually energetic component in all of the products. These effects are brought about by the use of aroma-therapeutic essential oils, flower essences from several repertoires, specially energized water, and the infusion of Reiki and Qi healing. I have certification in healing Qigong (pronounced Chi Gung) and training as a Reiki Master. I use these energies in all the products.

Another aspect that’s special is our use of fresh plant material in our soaps. For example, organic Sugar Pie Pumpkin is steamed, pureed and added to the Spicy Pumpkin Walnut Soap. Fresh raspberries are mashed (complete with seeds that act as a natural exfoliant) into the Raspberry Peach Smoothie Bar. I love using plant material in the soaps. Three types of mint, all of which I grow, go into the Peppy Mint Wake-up Bar. Wild-gathered Sagebrush leaves go into the Taos Sage Smudge Soap, and wild-crafted wild rose petals are added to the Wild Rose Bar.

What are your immediate goals?
My most immediate need seems to be finding a good helper! I have a very personal relationship with all the products, and am invested in keeping the environment where they are made and packaged very clean, and clear of negativity. I wish I could clone myself. One of me could work in the office, the other one could formulate, and another could do the packaging and shipping. A right-hand person hasn’t shown up yet.

Where would you like to see your company go long term?
It’s tricky to see where I’d like to see my little business to go long term. It’s like trying to picture your newborn as an adult. At this point, I am just hoping I can keep up with all of it as people discover the products.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced while seeing your company to where it is today? How did you face this challenge?
Figuring out how to formulate products that would stay stable using minimum emulsifiers and no chemical preservatives has been very important to me, and has been a big challenge. Trial-and-error formulating has resulted in some losses, of course, but ultimately it has been a good way to learn. I’ve been very persistent in researching natural ways to emulsify and preserve with specific extracts and essential oils.

Since I do see the products as skin food, I try to educate customers to treat them as such, to refrigerate when possible and to use them fresh. I recommend that all the products be stirred or shaken regularly. Everything is made in small batches, and I stay on the small side of bottling so products will get used up when they are still very fresh.

Where are your products available?
Locals drop by my studio or shop by appointment. I’ve just recently gotten the Walk-In-Beauty.net website up and running. Some products are in a gallery/shop called Taos Homegrown in Taos, New Mexico. They are also available at Milagro Therapies Spa in Las Vegas, NM , and Body Evolution Spa in Bellevue, Washington.

Please tell us why you purchase through FromNatureWithLove.com.
FromNatureWithLove.com was my first supplier when I began. This company had (and still has) the best selection! Anything I need, I can find there. Plus, it was such fun to try the free Fragrance Oils with every order. The prices are fair and they are always adding new up-to-date products.

Does your company have a motto or philosophy that you would like to share with us?
"There is beauty above you,
there is beauty below you,                                                                                       
there is beauty all around you.                                                                                             
May you always walk in beauty."
-Navajo Prayer

To "Walk in Beauty" is to experience "heaven on earth." Create heaven in your experience of life and you will experience a heavenly existence, right here and now. May I touch myself, my life, and all others with beauty. May I walk this blessed beauty way. Great Spirit, may I walk in beauty.

We'd like to thank Vicki Garland for sharing her story and experiences with all of us. To learn more about Walk in Beauty, and to view Vicki’s products online, please visit Walk-In-Beauty.net.

If you are a small business owner, or have a career in natural skincare and would like to be interviewed on The Natural Beauty Workshop please let us know. We would love to hear your story!

Bolivian Pink Salt

Bolivian Pink Salt is one of our newest products. The first thing you notice about Bolivian Pink Salt is how beautiful it is. The granules almost remind you of powdered Rose Quartz. In fact, this salt is also known as Bolivian Rose Salt. It is slightly translucent, crystalline, and a lovely, natural shade of pink. It is available in two grain sizes. The Fine Bolivian Pink Salt is similar in size to table salt, while the Coarse grain is more similar to our Medium Sea Salt, measuring between 4mm and 6mm.

But Bolivian Pink Salt is more than just a pretty variety of sodium chloride. This salt is rich in essential and trace minerals such as Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and Iron.  Much like Dead Sea Salt, Bolivian Pink Salt is known to have restorative abilities. It can help to benefit skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, improve skin tone and condition, increase circulation, and draw toxins from the skin. It also makes a superb exfoliant in scrubs, soaps and body treatments.

FromNatureWithLove.com Employee Workshops

Hands down, the best thing about my job is getting the opportunity to learn more about natural skincare every day.  Having the chance to dedicate yourself full time to working on something you are passionate about is a rare gift. I'm thankful every day that I found myself here. I wanted to share that joy and passion with my co-workers at FromNatureWithLove.com. When I shared this desire with Margaret, our office manager, she came up with a wonderful way to inspire the whole team with a passion for what we do.

For the past few months we have been holding employee workshops at our warehouse facility in Connecticut. On one Friday every month, employees from every department get together after work to create a handmade bath or body recipe. So far, we have made lip balms, salt scrubs, even handmade body cream. Margaret and I take turns creating recipes and showing everyone the ropes. It has been such a rewarding experience to see everyone come together as a team and create something special every month. We are getting to know one another better, while shedding a little light on the nature of the products we work with every day.

Our happy team from left to right: (Top) Margaret, Nina, Mike, Eve, Carmen, (Bottom) Pramvera, Marjeta, Sue and Karissa.

This month, the group made a Margarita Salt Scrub and a matching Margarita Body Cream. The idea originated from Victoria, one of our customer care representatives, joking that after a particularly hectic week we should cancel the salt scrubs and make margaritas instead. I decided to compromise by creating two margarita inspired recipes which I'll be sharing with you soon.

Coffee Bean Butter

Following suit to many other foods that were once considered vices, coffee has recently received attention for it's rich antioxidant content. There have even been benefits associated with coffee's most famous component, caffeine. As a result, coffee based skincare products have become very popular. Coffee Bean Butter is created by hydrogenating the oil that is pressed from roasted coffee beans along with soybean and/or sunflower oils. This highly moisturizing and aromatic butter is a lovely shade of beige, reminiscent of coffee flavored ice cream. The consistency is soft and smooth, but what will catch your attention first is the heavenly aroma of fresh brewed coffee. Coffee Bean Butter is as beneficial as it is appealing. It's high polyphenol content makes it excellent at retaining moisture. It is high in antioxidants and may have some sun protection value.

This butter makes an excellent ingredient in fresh creams and lotions. With its naturally rich aroma,  Coffee Bean Butter can be used to add a natural scent to a product. Body Butters and massage bars, and bath melts are more wonderful formulas to use with Coffee Bean Butter. Also, try adding other naturally scented butters and oils to your formula to create unique natural scent combinations. Cocoa Butter, Organic Virgin Coconut Oil or Cocoa Powder would mix beautifully with Coffee Bean Butter.

Herbal Hair Rinse

I plan to create many recipes with our new line of Organic Hydrosols, but the first thing I wanted to create was a vinegar based hair rinse. Apple Cider Vinegar is very effective at removing the excess buildup of residues left by shampoos and conditioners. Hair rinses are often paired with solid shampoo bars, but they can benefit anyone. Using a hair rinse every one to two weeks helps to keep your hair from becoming dull and heavy. While vinegar does have a strong aroma, you may be surprised to find that it fades completely once your hair is dried.

By adding hydrosols and herbal extracts to this rinse, we've made it extra special. Burdock Root helps to soothe the scalp, by reducing irritation, dandruff and promoting hair growth. Silica rich Oat Straw increases hair's softness and shine. Roman Chamomile's anti-inflammatory properties make a wonderfully soothing addition to this hair rinse. Dry, itchy scalps will love Chamomile Hydrosol. A classic ingredient for hair formulations is Rosemary. It is said to encourage hair growth, balance oily scalps and add shine and luster to dull hair.

This rinse is easy to make and a cinch to use. Just shampoo your hair as usual, then douse your hair with one to two ounces of the vinegar solution. Massage your hair to make sure that the solution reaches all of your hair, then rinse clean with water. The vinegar scent may linger on your hair until it is completely dry. After that, it will dissipate entirely.

Herbal Vinegar Hair Rinse 

4 ounces of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
2 ounces of distilled water
1 ounce of Organic Rosemary Hydrosol
1 ounce of Organic Roman Chamomile Hydrosol
1/8 teaspoon of Oat Straw Extract 10:1
1/4 teaspoon of Burdock Root Extract 4:1

Directions

In a small bowl, mix both powdered extracts with 2 ounces of warm water. Stir well until the powder has dissolved completely. Using a funnel or a very steady hand, pour the water into a clean, sterile, 8 ounce bottle. Next, add 1 ounce of each hydrosol, then 4 ounces of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. Close the bottle and shake well.

Packaging and Storage

If this rinse is used every week, one bottle should last about one to two months. It should be kept in a cool, dry, place. Any unused rinse should be discarded after 3 months. If you like, you can add some Grapefruit Seed Extract to aid in its preservation, but that is up to you. To retain maximum freshness, this rinse can also be stored in the refrigerator between uses. I would recommend packaging this rinse in a shower safe bottle, such as PET or HDPE plastic. I also like to use a snap, turret, or dish cap with this rinse. These types of caps are ideal for application.

Organic Hydrosols

When the news came that we were going to carry a new line of Organic Hydrosols my curiosity was immediately peaked. When I heard the names of all the interesting and unique new varieties that would soon be available I was overjoyed. I have been enthralled with hydrosols for some time, but haven't had the opportunity to use more than the classic variety. Lavender, Rose and Lemon Balm are perfectly charming, and extremely useful products. But Carrot Seed, Chamomile,  and Rosemary? I knew I had to get my hands on these beauties right away. So, like a kid waiting for a Christmas present in the mail, I politely harassed our receiving department until they arrived. The sound of me asking, "are they here yet?", is probably forever etched into the poor fellow's mind. Hee hee.

And were they everything I dreamed they would be? Oh yes!

Hydrosols are created during the steam distillation of essential oils. After the steaming process is over, the water that is left behind contains many beneficial properties of the plant. These waters also carry their own unique aroma, often very different from that of the essential oil, but still reminiscent of the plant that they both originated from. The aromas of hydrosols can be so different, in fact, that many people are completely caught off guard when they first encounter a hydrosol.

Some of our new Organic Hydrosols include:

• Angelica Root - This hydrosol has a very strong aroma, making ideal for aromatherapy use. The herbal tone of this hydrosol is said to have a grounding or calming effect.
• Carrot Seed - Like the essential oil, Carrot Seed Hydrosol has wonderful anti-aging benefits. It would be an ideal ingredient in a facial toner, or in the water phase of a facial cream.
• Cistus (Labdanum) - Cistus is also known as Labdanum, or Rock Rose. However, rather than smelling of rose, this hydrosol has a more medicinal, herby, aroma. It is highly astringent, and has cleansing properties, making it a good choice for toner or for oily skin formulations. It may also be effective at scar and wrinkle reduction.
• Labrador Tea - The aroma of this hydrosol is very distinct. It has a sweetness to it that matches its corresponding properties as well. In aromatherapy, Labrador is used to relieve insomnia and promote a sense of well being. It has even been used to aid those recovering from addictions.
• Lavandula Augustifolia - This classic ingredient takes on a new face in its aqueous form. Its aroma is reminiscent of the essential Oil, but Lavandula Hydrosol has its own personality and distinctive scent. Lavandula has a myriad of uses. In child care, its calming effect can be taken advantage of in bath water or to ease crankiness. Lavandula is also great at calming sunburn, windburn, and some rashes. In skin care, Lavandula is a virtual chameleon. It is beneficial to most skin types due to its balancing and anti-inflammatory effects, and can be used in almost any formulation.
• Lemon Balm - This hydrosol has a very recognizable aroma. While it does vary slightly from its corresponding essential oil, most people find Lemon Balm Hydrosol's light, refreshing aroma to be quite pleasant. Great for oily/combination skin types, this hydrosol can make an effective toner for acne prone skin.
• Roman Chamomile - One of my favorite essential oils, Roman Chamomile makes a fantastic hydrosol as well. Its classic aroma is lighter, but still recognizable, as are the properties that make this plant so popular. The strong anti-inflammatory properties of Roman Chamomile make it especially suitable for a sensitive skin toner or cream. Roman Chamomile can also help to soothe irritated scalps when it is added to hair care formulations.  In aromatherapy, Roman Chamomile is famous for its strong calming and sedative properties.
• Rose Damnascena - Rose Damnascena Hydrosol has to be one of the most luxurious products I have had the pleasure to encounter. Rose water is a classic ingredient in natural skin care, and this hydrosol does not disappoint in fragrance or effectiveness. The delicate aroma of rose petals  really shines in this hydrosol.  It is light, not overpowering, and very  pleasant. Rose is known for its skin balancing effects. Mature skin can especially benefit from the use of Rose Hydrosol. Use it in creams, masks, or any luxurious formulation. But whatever you do, don't waste a drop of this precious ingredient!
• Rosemary Verbenone - I have to admit that Rosemary is not, personally, one of my favorite aromas. However, it is much more appealing to me in its hydrosol form. The strong, camphorous aroma of Rosemary has been toned down a few notches. My favorite use of Rosemary is in hair care formulas. It can add shine and softness to lackluster hair, making it fantastic for use in hair rinses, conditioners or leave-in creams.
• White Sage - The scent of this hydrosol is very interesting to me. I had to open my little sample bottle several times to fully appreciate it. I love the scent of sage. Its bold, herbaceous aroma is has been used in cleansing ceremonies for ages. Today, Sage is used for similar purposes in aromatherapy. It is said to have a grounding effect that can help to provide clarity, and even soothe pain.

Hydrosols are great for use in aqueous formulations such as hair rinses, toners, body sprays, or creams. While they do not usually pack the same potency as an essential oil, you should treat them with a similar respect. Their properties can still be very powerful. Always make sure the hydrosol you are using is safe for that application.

To learn more about hydrosols, I recommend picking up a copy of Hydrosols: The Next Aromatherapy by Suzanne Catty. This book is one of the most complete guides to hydrosols available. Catty not only provides detailed profiles on a wide range of hydrosols, she provides a wealth of information on the use and history of these products. The book also offers a massive chapter of recipes, including everything from skin care to detox beverages.

Great Expectations

Some scientists believe that our expectations can do more than determine our personal tastes. They believe that our expectations can actually alter what our senses perceive. For example, the human mind can read most familiar words when the letters in the middle of the word have been jumbled. As long as all letters are present, and the first and last letter of the word remain in their correct position, most people will automatically read the word with no trouble at all. What is more amazing is that most people will not even realize that the letters have been changed. We expect the word to be written a certain way, and unless we are paying close attention, our minds will simply "fill in the blanks" to save the time and energy of actually analyzing every letter individually.

My father once told me a very memorable story about expectations and the perception of taste. On a flight to Europe, many years ago, my father sat next to a fellow named Hans. Hans was traveling with a co-worker, Alex, who had been upgraded to a first class seat. Prior to the flight, when the two men were offered the upgrade, Hans had graciously given the seat to his young co-worker who had never flown first class.

During the flight, Hans and my father worked on their laptops, made small talk, and relaxed to pass the time. Through the flight's duration,  Alex sent small gifts to from the first class cabin. Whenever he was served something sweet, he would have some of it sent back to Hans, who happily enjoyed them. Toward the end of the flight, an attendant arrived with some hard candies wrapped in gold foil. "I love butterscotch," Hans remarked as he delightedly popped one into his mouth. Immediately, Hans's face dropped with disappointment. A moment passed, and he riled in disgust. Spitting out the candy, he explained to my father that this candy tasted awful. So awful, that he was convinced it must have been prank candy. Shocked and angered, he began ranting to my father that Alex must be playing a nasty trick on him. "What kind of sick person would do something like this?" he exclaimed. He sat back in his chair, red and fuming.

A few moments later, Alex came down the aisle with a huge grin on his face. "How are you enjoying my treats, Hans?", he asked. Hans exploded! He began to berate the young man for his cruelty. The grin on Alex's face very quickly turned to a puzzled and mortified expression. He told Hans that he had no idea what he meant. He had eaten the very same candies earlier. Because he found them so delicious, he had several sent to his friend in the rear cabin. Convinced that Alex was only continuing his sick joke, Hans handed Alex one of the remaining candies, insisting that he ate it right away.

The very confused Alex popped one into his mouth and said, "I don't understand, Hans. This coffee candy is delicious." Now Hans was confused. He unwrapped a third candy and began to eat it. Hans quickly realized what had happened. When he opened the candy he was expecting the sweet flavor of butterscotch. He was caught off guard by the bitter coffee flavor, so much so, that his mind automatically read "bad" instead of "good". Bashfully, he apologized to Alex and continued to suck on the candy.

After Alex returned to his seat in first class, Hans looked at my father and handed him the last hard candy. "It's quite good, really," he explained.   

This story is a favorite of mine. It illustrates the power of expectations very well. The next time you try something new, keep Hans in mind. Try to clear your mind of all expectations and experience the flavor or aroma objectively. You may be surprised at you what you develop a taste for!