I recently received an exotic soap souvenir from the Mid-East. It's a bar made with Dead Sea salt, and contains NIGELLA oil. What on earth is nigella?  

Puzzled in Paraguay 

Exotic indeed! Nigella sativa is a Middle Eastern medicinal plant. Now I have some questions for you: Did you receive this soap from boyfriend or hubby by any chance? One of the listed uses for this oil in the United States is for boosting sex drive. Tee hee! Would you rather saponify than get romantic? Do you spend all your time making soap and are worn out by the time you get to the bedroom? At any rate, check out this site for the best information I could find. http://fisher.bio.umb.edu/pages/fatimah/fatimah.htm 

Luv, 

Miz

Dear Miz Bubbles, 

I'm addicted to soaping! I have all the symptoms: I see potential molds in everything, I stop strangers to ask them what scent they're wearing, and the highpoint of my day is when the big brown truck stops at my house!  

So what's my problem? My sweetie isn't interested in soap! He doesn't want to hear about coconut oil; he doesn't want to sniff my newest fragrance; he just won't participate! The only time he was at all interested is when I asked him to cut my pvc to shorter lengths. What can I do to keep both my love life and my soap pot frothy?!  

Despairing in Des Moines 

Dear Despairing, 

Wow, you ARE addicted! I must confess I know how exciting it is to see that UPS truck! Maybe you could hook up with the UPS dude??? WOW, can you imagine that relationship? You would ALWAYS be excited to see him (and he doesn’t have to know it’s excitement over soap supplies and not him!) You would be able to make soap all day while he delivers goodies! 

Okay, back to reality. Maybe you could get your honey interested by asking him if he needs any greasy-hand soap, hunting soap, or some such? I bet he’d get excited over building you that much needed soap room, especially when he finds out you’re planning on selling your soap. Dollar signs are ALWAYS sexy! And speaking of sexy, tell him with your soap money you’ll buy some sexy nighties and that any man who likes to talk about soap is a real turn on! 

Luv, 

Miz