Trying Out an Olive Oil-Based Shaving Gel

In early March 2009 I posted a YouTube video about using Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVO) as a moisturizer.



Since then I've had a few inquiries about it and several thousand views of the video. A couple of weeks ago the folks from Oliveology, Inc., in New York, wrote to ask if I'd like to try their olive oil-based shaving gel and, if I liked it, if I'd put up a YouTube video. So I said, "Sure."

So they sent me sample (meaning I didn't pay for them)one 8oz and one 2oz travel size bottle of Oliveology ShaveGel.

ShaveGel is a 3-function product: it conditions, lubricates, and moisturizes your skin.

I've been using it since Saturday now and will continue using it. First, on Saturday, I used it with a brand new (disposable Wilkinson) razor. Here's the video I posted after that:



And then on Sunday I used an old razor (same brand) that I'd used for probably a month.

Here's that video:



So here's the bottom line about my testing and very subjective reactions:

• You use very little of the product, a small drop is enough, so it ought to last a long time
• It's clear, so you can see what you're shaving
• When I used the new blade it felt great, and I didn't catch my skin anywhere and cut myself, which I often do with a new razor
• The old razor didn't drag on my skin, which was why I stopped using it earlier - but I saved it for this test.
• As far as I can tell there's no odor to this product, so you won't walk around smelling like a salad (although my sense of smell is pretty dismal, so don't count on it. I did ask Marge, however, and she didn't smell anything either). 
• It's very convenient not to have to use an aftershave or moisturizer after shaving -this is really two products in one. What I did was just sort of rub my face a once after shaving. Didn't  need to rinse off extra shaving cream.

So that's it:

• It feels good
• Works as promised
• Saves some time and maybe money (because you use so little and because it's also a moisturizer)
• I like it.

After I posted the videos on YouTube the folks at Oliveology wrote to say that after I've used ShaveGel for a week or more my face will be smooth as a "baby butt". Okay, I guess that's a good thing. Mostly I just want a close shave without cutting or burning my skin.

If you're interested in this product, check out the Oliveology website.

 Please note that I'm not connected with this company, they're not paying me for this, and I don't get a cut. I did, however, get some nifty free shaving gel, but I basically did this because I was intrigued by it and because of my earlier video.

Pecan Pancakes - Breaking Rules Never Tasted So Good - Recipe

This weekend on Saturday Marge made a suggestion to add to our (former) favorite pancake recipe and it was a winner. I added another twist and the results were over the top. In order to take the photo above I had to mix another batch Sunday just so I could have something to shoot.

So here's what we did: basically we just used the pancake recipe on the back of the Bisquick box, adding every one of the "make it special" ingredients they suggest - that's how we usually (used to) make pancakes that we, our family, and guests have always enjoyed. Marge's idea was to add some finely chopped pecans. My addition was to cook them using Extra Virgin Olive Oil - (yeah, I know, it's not supposed to taste all that great in a pan like that and some say EVO only delivers its healthy goodness served cold or at room temperature. But guess what? They were easy to make, easy to cook, and awesome!

So here's the recipe:

Bruce and Marge's EVO Pecan Pancakes

Ingredients:
2 cups Bisquick
1 cup milk (actually I used Lite Silk)
1 egg
2/3 cup finely chopped pecans
1 Tablespoon pure vanilla (I used a strong flavored Mexican vanilla brand)
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
Note: this recipe makes about nine 4-5 inch diameter pancakes each about 1/2" thick.

Preparation:
Dump all the ingredients in a mixing bowl in (in any order) and mix 'em up. The more finely you chop the pecans the smoother the mixture will be, but it doesn't effect taste or cooking time, just the crunchiness.

Cooking:
Preheat a medium hot skillet (or griddle or frying pan or whatever)
Add a generous amount of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Put about a 1/3 cup of mixture on the skillet
Cook 'em for a while on one side, then flip 'em. (They likely will be thicker than your usual pancakes so maybe turn the heat down a smidge if you're concerned about them getting overly dark before cooking all the way through. I find it takes about 30 seconds  per side, maybe a bit more)

Eating:
 Serve and eat. I suppose you can add butter and syrup if you wish, but I like them just as they are.

Hint for next day cold pizza lovers: Make extra pancakes and store covered in the refrigerator, they're firm enough that they're easy to eat just holding them with a cup of coffee the next morning.

The Pecans add texture, taste and flavor and (for Marge and I anyway) the EVO adds a wonderful flavor and feel to them.

Of course I'm a big fan of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and even made a video a year or so ago on using EVO as a moisturizer - let me know if you'd like those instructions or for the video link.