I just made a bunch of pear-applesauce. I quartered my pears (and apples) and cored them, but left the peels on. Cooked until soft. Then sent them thru my food mill. I have a manual food strainer - a sieve with a wooden pestle - and I just find that it relatively easy to strain out peels but a bit harder if the cores are still mixed in. I do wash my fruit before using. I have not noticed any bitterness from my peels. Also, I end up simmering my applesauce for a couple hours, so I am assuming that I'm killing off any mold or bacteria during the simmering process.

Your description of the candy texture sounds very much like a candy that the Sun Harvest store carries, called "Halvah". But it is made with Sesame seeds. Finely ground, I think. I have done a Google search for Halvah recipes, but didn't find any made with peaunt butter. But I imagine you could substitute peanut butter for the Tahini or ground sesame seeds in one of the recipes for the sesame Halvah. I'll be watching this thread to see if anyone comes up with your recipe. I dearly love the Sesame Halvah, but don't indulge very often, it is quite rich, and very addictive! Rusty

Don't go by the color chart at Loews. I made that mistake once! HD had a better in store display, it was a large board with dried grout in grooves of the different colors. That was the best indication and worked out great. If you want the Lacrete, buy a small amount grout use on excess or ruined tiles on a board or concrete block, then let it dry. I've noticed the lacrites dry brighter and lighter than the color chart.

Thank you for your helpful page! I am a first timer at at making body butter's & I am gathering supplies currently. Is 1 part liquid oil to 2 parts solid oils the approx. proportions for a basic recipe as mentioned by athena. Ingredients are costly & I would hate to waste them. This one question seems difficult to pin down, I want to make a larger batch to share & most recipes are all over the place with amounts. Also I have seen many recipes where they add cornstarch to make product less greasy, do you have any idea of how much to add, to say like 1/3 cup oil to 2/3 cup harder solids? Is there a really good book you could recommend? Also where to find a good lip gloss recipe? Much appreciation in advance? Thank you , Lola :)