Putting This Out to the Universe

This year has just dawned, so let's start it out well.

I have mentioned that I have a couple side projects brewing. I am not really ready to announce them, but in the spirit of timing I am going to force them out into the world and see what y'all think.

The first project is this. I want to write and publish a book in 2011.

I have been toying with the idea and even written several pages within the last few months. The book that I wanted to write has changed dramatically from a cookbook to a 'how to' real foods book, all of which has been done before, probably better than I could do it. But in thinking about why it is that you folks, who don't know me, come back to my site every day to read what is essentially my diary, it struck me. I want to write a book about this, my blog. I have come a long way in the last 9 months, not just with what I eat and how I shop, but with who I am and how I define myself. The experience has been bigger than "eat grass fed meat". I have repaired my once dysfunctional relationship with food. And the road there has been interesting, at least I think so.

I have told myself a hundred times that no one wants to read a book about me. But between my Blogger followers, Facebook friends and RSS subscribers, I believe there are 150-200 people already reading my book. Sometimes we must remind ourselves what is on the other side of the mountain, rather than focusing on the mountain.

I took off last week from posting because I am working on a Book Proposal. But I got less done than I wanted to. Mostly because I spent most of the week working on this next project.

I have for a long time been appalled by the amount of additives that are in foods. But one can find additive free food if one is so motivated. I recently discovered how many additives are in skin care, lotions, shampoos, soaps, etc. But I have been hard pressed to find any products that even come close to representing my ideals. What I have found are alot of chemical detergents, petroleum byproducts, and a bunch of other stuff I can't even identify. So I have started to make my own body lotions and shampoos out of nothing more complicated than high quality oils and castile soap (which is also made from just oil and a little sodium or potassium hydroxide). The more I read about making soap at home, the more I realize that our commercial skin care products have been just as adulterated as our food system. And skin care is just the same as food, our body absorbs it and so it should be simple and nourishing. I am also convinced that some of the fillers used set up a lousy cycle. They dry skin just enough that you have to keep buying their products. I am also frustrated the the products in line with my ideals are so expensive that they are more "gift-y" than something you would buy for yourself or your family for every day use.

So my second big project for 2011, start a skin care company that focuses on botanical oils, essential oils and uses no preservatives. In my spare time. Because remember, I do have a full time job (that I really like--have I mentioned that before??)

I wasn't going to say anything for the first couple of weeks of 2011. I was going to keep thinking and rolling things over in my head. But then I got this email from the universe....and I decided that in order to be successful, I had to put it out there.

So I have a few questions for you. Do you think I am crazy? Would you be willing to try my products once I have more recipes? I have a couple good ones so far, but I need to work on creating a whole line of items. Does anyone think that there is or isn't a market for additive free skin care? Is there someone already doing this? Does anyone have suggestions for where to sell? I cannot sell in the Union Square Farmer's Market because they do not allow non-food or non-local items to be sold there (duh), but I am not sure about other NYC markets. Does anyone have any recommendations?

In terms of a book, would you read it? Does anyone know any publishers that might be interested in a food literature book? Does anyone have any suggestions? Have I lost my mind? Should I delete this post and get back to writing about my Things? Please tell me what you really think.

Please