Gourmet glamour — Spa-style gifts from the kitchen hold a certain cachet

5 chocolate chips (milk chocolate for a light color; semisweet for a dark color)

1/8 teaspoon shortening

Mix all ingredients in a microwave-safe container. Microwave, uncovered, on high power for 20 seconds. Stir. Repeat until chips are fully melted. Pour into a small jar and freeze 15 minutes or until solid. Then apply it on your lips. Makes about 1 tablespoon of gloss.

—Angel Shannon

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CHOCOLATE BROWN SUGAR BODY SCRUB

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Pour brown sugar into a bowl and pack down. Pour olive oil slowly into bowl and mix until scrub has a wet-sand consistency. Blend in cocoa powder. Add almond extract and mix well. Scoop into a jar. Makes about 1 1/2 cups scrub.

To use: Gently massage onto body to exfoliate and moisturize skin. Not for facial use.

—Angel Shannon

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COUNTRY MILK BATH

1 cup dry powdered milk

1 cup Epsom salt or sea salt

1/2 cup baking soda

1/4 cup crystallized citric acid

20 drops scented oil

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and transfer to a decorative jar. Feel free to play with different combinations of scented oil to come up with your "signature" fragrance. To use, add about a half cup to your bath water.

—Christine Jensen and Teresa Hunsaker, Weber County USU Extension

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E-mail: vphillips@desnews.com