My daughter, Simone, and I wouldn’t win blue ribbons (or any color ribbon) for baking at a State Fair, but I convinced her to help me whip up some cookies for the FabOverFifty Christmas party at my apartment. The experience would also give us a chance to put Vaseline’s reformulated Intensive Rescue Repairing Moisture body lotion to the test. When I agreed to try the product I was asked to choose a winter challenge, such as ice skating or cooking, which would expose my hands to one or more drying agents, including water, heat, and cold. I’m a worse ice skater than baker, so cooking it would be.
Simone and I chose a recipe we found for Rolled Sugar Cookies, which seemed simple enough. After the dough was made and chilled for a couple of hours, we rolled it out on a floured board, then cut it into shapes with cookie cutters. We washed our hands at least four times throughout the process, had them in and out of the refrigerator and oven and hand washed the bowls and utensils in pretty hot water—without wearing rubber gloves. By the time the cookies were baking, our hands were anything but baby soft and moist. Even Simone’s 30 year-old-hands were dry and ready for relief. Out came the lotion, which promises to “relieve very dry skin in a single use and help heal dry skin in 3 days.” Words like “powerful” and “therapeutic” also are used to describe the product.
I’d been using Vaseline Intensive Rescue Repairing Moisture body lotion for a couple of weeks before our baking soiree, and loved how easily and quickly it was absorbed into my skin, without giving it a greasy, sticky feeling. A small amount instantly made my dry, chapped hands feel velvety soft. This time was no exception. Simone was impressed, too, and happy to hear a bottle costs under $4.
I told her that I grew up with a jar of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly at the ready, whether my mother rubbed it on our chapped cheeks after we played in the snow for hours or on the rectal thermometer. So I felt some allegiance to the brand.
I’ve also been using the lotion on my feet, which are dryer than my hands and I no longer have skin cracks and leathery soles. The reformulated lotion includes Stratys-3, a moisturizing complex that hydrates the skin at the “top, core and in the deep-down layers,” the company says.
The cookies were crispy and buttery. And when we rubbed our hands together in delight at our accomplishment, we were pretty pleased with them, too.
Tell us about your favorite winter activity for the chance to be one of five lucky FOFs who will win a gift package from Vaseline, consisting of a 10ounce bottle of Vaseline Intensive Rescue Repairing Moisture body lotion and a 7.5 jar of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly. They’ll be kind to your skin throughout the cruel winter season.
0 Responses to “The secret “ingredient” in my Rolled Sugar Cookies”
Sunn ymay says:
I like discovering secrets to recipes hidden in the margins of old cookbooks. Baking sugar cookies and cutting them out reminds me of the fond hours we spent with Grandma Mary. It was quite a production to chill the dough, pick out which cookie cutter, use buttercream frosting tinted with food coloring and to put on sprinkles and such for decoration. Our creative talents came out and my kids like decorating cookies, too.
Donna S T says:
I recently found out that I am one of five winners for this Vaseline gift package. First, let me say, “woohoo”, and secondly, a big THANK YOU to
FOF for the opportunity. Since we are deeper into the winter season and my skin is constantly dry, I am really looking forward to trying the body lotion.
mimi says:
My favorite winter activity is snuggling under the covers and reading a good book.
DF says:
My time outdoors consists of long walks with my rescue dog…we are out in the elements for an hour a a time and would love to try Vaseline lotion…grew up using it, but must admit, have not purchased for years…sounds worth revisiting…
Fashion Flash | Menopause Makeover | The Ultimate Guide to Taking Control of Your Health and Beauty during Menopause says:
[…] is Fab Over Fifty founder Geri Brin’s “secret ingredient” when she bakes? It’s not what you think!Plus, win […]
kay wolter says:
I am a Crossing Guard in Michigan for 2 hours plus each school day and I do recess…so I am outsides in alot of weather
Marsha Calhoun says:
Cooking and gardening (in California, so it’s still possible, even necessary), both of them hand-wreckers. I read your earlier post and bought a bottle of this stuff, and you are absolutely right – it’s excellent. A cooking mishap led to burns on my thumb and index and middle fingers that are now healing, and the dead skin was catching on everything until I started using this lotion. The roughness is much reduced. Thanks for the recommendation!
Fashion Flash Jan 14th 2013 – Fitness, Fatloss Tips and Ideas for Busy Women says:
[…] is Fab Over Fifty founder Geri Brin’s “secret ingredient” when she bakes? It’s not what you think! Plus, win […]
ZB says:
My winter endeavors? Catching up on mending. Which means jeans. Lots and lots of denim jeans full of indigo and/or black dyes that get under nails and stain fingers. I’m good for finishing 2 pair, then I break for vigorous hand-washing, slathering on Vaseline’s Intensive Rescue, a hot cup of bracing tea and a toes-up with a good book. Duelin’ with denim is best undertaken in small bursts; otherwise, I end up looking like a Moroccan desert dweller.
Love this stuff (works on winter-dried shins too)–how did I survive without it!
Susie says:
Stay inside and curl up with a good book.
Kai W. says:
It would be cooking. However, my hands do tend to get dry whenever I wash them with soap and water especially during the cold weather.
Rebecca Moatz says:
I would have to say that baking is my favorite winter activity, as well. There was a time when I took orders year-round to supplement my income, however, after I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I had to cut back to just baking for family and friends. I work from home as a writer now, so I find myself alternating between cooking/baking/housework and working on the computer while using a heating pad to quiet the muscle spasms in my back. As a result, I am washing my hands more often and could really use a product like this.
Lynda C says:
My favorite winter activity is playing in the snow with my dog! Just waiting on the snow now…..
Kathi says:
My favorite winter activity is crocheting, I enjoy making afghans and little hats and scarfs for my 3 small grandchildren, but if I don’t keep my hands moisturized , it makes me crazy with the arn catching on to my dry skin, so I would absolutely Love to win the gift package from Vaseline because my hands and skin get so dry in the winter and I would welcome Vaseline intesive rescue repair to apply to my hands before I start my crocheting! 🙂
Vicki Wurgler says:
cross country ski
Gayla says:
I would come inside after doing the chores and put the vaseline on my hands to sooth the chapped and frozen skin. This helped and I continue today to use this product.
ROS IRWIN says:
I love walking in freshly fallen snow – snow makes everything very quiet and also lokking very clean and bright
Leah Allen says:
Drinking hot Chai Tea lattes and making cookies.
Meredith Peters says:
My favorite winter activity is walking at a large store or mall. I live in Maine and walking outside right now would be hazardous!
carrie obrien says:
Enjoying the crispness outdoors and snow if possible!
Donna S T says:
My favorite winter activity is grabbing my camera and going on a long walk after a fresh snowfall. It’s my passion, but it can give a fof girl chapped hands, cheeks & lips.
Deanne H. says:
Going to play in the snow and then a nice warm toddy by the fire!
Soledad says:
Reading a good book or watching a movie while drinking hot cocoa.
Sari says:
Drinking hot chocolate.
linda says:
In winter in Florida, I love to walk outdoors. Indoors, I love to snuggle up with a great book and read, read, read.
Alison K says:
My favorite winter activity is curling up in front of the fireplace with a good book & a hot cup of creamy chocolate, with the cat close by for some rub-ups.
1955nurse says:
A cozy fire, reading to my Grands, after chasing them around out in the cold air!!! Thanks for the chance….
Sean Pynaert says:
I like to go skiing with the family.
Cathy McMann says:
I’m a quilter and quilting is the perfect winter activity.
Julie says:
A brisk walk in the park, coming home with glowing cheeks.
Christine Norman says:
Snowshoeing with my family – a great workout and calorie burner. I also just got done shoveling lots of snow with my helpful son in our driveway/sidewalk/sundeck and our neighbor’s too who is out of town and really like doing that too. Today was no school “snow day” due to a lot of snow falling all day and ice on roads which made for lots of shoveling and sliding.
Melody Brown says:
My favorite winter activity…taking a drive with hubby to see the trees covered in snow. But it does get quite cold and I tend to dry out badly! Thanks for the chance!
CLC says:
We love strolling through city parks in the winter.
Susan C says:
My favorite wintertime activity is sitting in front of the fireplace! 🙂
jacqueline says:
drinking hot chocolate in a mug overflowing with marshmallows
R. Feng says:
My favorite winter activity is also baking for family and friends. If I have time, I like to go ice skating or sledding with my family. Other favorite winter activities include walking with my grandchildren around the neighborhood after the Christmas dinner for exercise and to look at the Christmas lights.
Jennifer says:
living here in the Orlando, Florida are we are having a really warm winter, today is was 84 deg and sunny w/slight breeze – it was heavenly. I have enjoyed biking and being outside working in the gardens or playing w/our yellow lab Sophie. Relaxing w/great reading by the pool is my favorite!
Nancy says:
Loive watching a good movie at night sitting with my hubby and my dog Max and an iced coffee
Pamela Lloyd says:
Sitting on my deck by the fire and sipping a hot cup of coffee. The cold and fire is hard on the skin. Looking forward to some TLC
mell says:
Walking my dog and then enjoying a cup of coffee or hot chocolate afterward while my dog lies at my feet.
Mary Lou Bissaillon says:
In front of the fireplace with a hot cup of tea. Being with family doing almost anything.
Mary says:
Sitting in front of the fire just me and my chihuahua(did I spell that right), sipping tea and eating Geri’s cookies.
Vonne says:
Favorite outdoor: nice 1 hour walk with my husband on the nearby county park path that winds along a gentle creek. Favorite indoor: absorbed in a good book in front of the fireplace with a nice blaze going, hot chocolate in hand and my cat curled up in my lap.
I have dry skin and always have lotions in stock. Vaseline Intensive Care is one of my regular brands. About once every two weeks I lather up my hands with it before bedtime, thick enough that it doesn’t all absorb, then put on disposable non-latex gloves to cover and keep them on while sleeping. In the morning, my hands are magic, silky soft.
Anne says:
My favorite winter activity is cuddling up with a nice soft throw, a book and a cup of tea. If I can get my St Bernard and German Shepard to be the nice soft thow, even better.
paulette schneider says:
taking a walk along the river, watch the patterns the ice floes form with passing of the tide.
Beth W. says:
…one of my favorite winter activities is sale shopping with my best friend…afterwards, we always have sore feet, from long days of bargain hunting. Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion is what I rub on my feet after every shower and before I climb into bed at night.
starsmom says:
I love to relax in front of a warm fire and watch the snow fall from INSIDE!!
Diane says:
Well, what I do on any particular day depends on how I feel. I live on a lake that is controlled by TVA so it drops to winter pool in early November. I love to “beach-comb”. Never know what I will find. One year I found a number of petrified mussel shells. Neat find. I also love to watch the suet feeders to see what type bird is visiting at any given time. This year I have seen two different woodpeckers, Mockingbirds, Cardinals, wrens, Titmice, etc. I love birds. And weeds are starting to show their ugly heads. As I walk up to the mail box I pull weeds. They always win but I try. One of Geri’s sugar cookies would be good right now……………….! Thanks~
beth says:
sitting next to my fire with a hot cup of tea and reading a good book.
ah!
Nancy says:
My favorite activity in Jan. is going to our lake near us and looking for eagles! Yesterday saw two sitting together in a tree watching the water! They are so large and beautiful!! Love being outdoors in the crisp, cool air, but my skin takes a beating—gets real dry and rough!!
Polly Hall says:
My favorite winter activity is walking around our area photographing winter snowy scenes.
Margarida says:
Going to the beach and enjoying a mild Texas winter is one of my favourite winter activities- oddly enough!
Margarida says:
As I live in Texas, the mild winters allow my favourite winter activity to be going to the beach.
Debbie W. says:
Favorite winter activity is making a big pot of minestrone soup!
Brenda says:
m I like to take quiet early morning walks in the park. It’s wonderful to smell the fresh nad watch the animals.
Stephanie V. says:
taking hikes on cool, sunny winter days
AJB says:
My favorite winter (actually year round) activity is hiking. I went snowshoe hiking last weekend and it was a cold day with a temp in the 20s!
SandraB says:
A quiet walk early morning is so centering — the air is crisp and invigorating, and everything looks so clean.
Tammy Allen says:
A good book, a great movie, listening to music, have friends and family over…there are a number of things to do when it gets cold.
Monica Platz says:
My favorite winter activity is walking my dog and playing with him in the snow! He absolutely loves it and so do I!
Laura McCrate says:
My favorite activity is making snow men, women, and children with my daughter Alaina and husband Bryan. Alaina loves to make a whole snow family, and the older she gets, the bigger the snow “child” gets. I love watching my daughter and her snow twin grow every year. It’s adorable and we have a wonderful time as a family building them all. Of course when the snow family is finished, we come in for hot chocolate with lots of coloured marshmallows and plenty of warm cuddles while watching our favorite winter movies.
Sandy says:
I love curling up by a fire with a good book!
Tonya Hickerson says:
Love being in the mountains and hiking in the snow, hot chocolate as a side 🙂
Nancy says:
Like others who’ve responded, and you, Geri, I will bake before I’ll ice skate! I do have to rake up my hen’s enclosure (yep: four laying hens) and go pick up after our new puppy (a Russian Bolonka: precious pup, and I’d been saying NO DOGS no way ever for a decade!) but it’s the cookie baking that I love and my kids appreciate most!
Diana Prewitt says:
Inside with throw, warm drink, and good TV/netflicks.
Marta says:
My favorite winter activity is to take a walk in the woods after a few inches of fresh snow has fallen. The air is crisp & clean, you see little animal tracks in the snow, you hear birds singing & the world seems at peace – for a little while at least!
Mary says:
I love to work outside in my garden. No matter what the season, there is always something to be done.
Brenda Leon says:
I am an inside person, so cooking and reading is what I do most in the winter. We do try to make at least one snowman and have a good snowball fight.
lora says:
oops….crisp ( mental typo )
Deborah Shirley says:
I love to bake various kinds, and large quantities, of cookies, cakes, and fudge throughout the winter months. Nothing makes me happier than my grandchildren enjoying my home baked goodies; and seeing the faces of family and friends when I share with them!
Erika E says:
Sledding with my son is my favorite winter activity. And today we’re getting enough snow to last the whole year!
Gwen Surell says:
One of our favorite winter activities is Dutch oven cooking over coals with our cooking group. We all gather outside, fire up the coals, and cook our favorite recipe in the cast iron Dutch ovens. The heat from the coals keeps up warm, even with cold Wisconsin wind blowing in our faces. The vaseline moisturizing package would certainly be an added addition to our outdoor kitchen.
Nancy Morrell says:
Here in Tucson the weather is so dry that my hands crack open and bleed. I could really use this prize.
Ruth Bousquet says:
I really enjoy splitting logs with my husband, but it is evil on my hands. Working with wood warms us twice and you can’t beat a great fire going to get the chill out.
Debbie Nye says:
I L-O-V-E going to indoor thrift stores and rummage sales looking for treasures. The going in and out into the cold from car to store can be brutal on hands and any other exposed skin, in the western Pennsylvania winter.
lora says:
missing my colorado home. a village 10,000 blissful ft. above sea level. DRY and clear and wintry crsip. like my hands and itchy body!
Anne Derkat says:
I love ice skating at West Edmonton Mall with the Senior skate club.
Vicky D says:
Snuggling under a cozy blanket by the fire with a good book!
Katie says:
Walking in the cool crisp air then warming by the fire
Morris E says:
I love snowshoeing it is fun and a great workout
Mamavalveeta03 says:
Long winter hikes on the beach by the ocean…relaxing and soothing…but not great for the hands!
debra lander says:
tobogganing with my son and baking
Debra Barber says:
My favorite activity in the winter is cooking new casseroles or baking . We don’t get much snow in Alabama. I love cooking new recipes for something warm to eat when its cold outside.
Dorothy Campbell says:
My skin is so sensitive, the cold will crack it and if I’m not careful my legs actually bled once, so I slather cream on constantly, would love to try this.
Marilyn says:
My favorite winter activity is baking and cooking comfort foods.
Christine says:
walking in the snow
Carol says:
In the Colorado mountains it is dry and the sun is strong…Use moisturizer & sun screen
consistantly!
Jana says:
I really enjoy baking during the winter so I can share yummy treats with my friends and family.
mink says:
I love just watching snow fall.
Cmason says:
I would love to try this product as I wash my hands lots during the day. My feet are also so dry and need help. We love sled ridding with my grand kids in the winter and it really dries out our cheeks! This lotion sounds great.
Lynn Doescher says:
I would love one of these packs, I use handcreme like it is water, but to no avail. The cold is a real killer for my hands & feet. I would love to try this product out.
Beth Lowe says:
Riding my horse in the snow.
Cynthia says:
My first winter back in the cold!! It is a struggle. Spending much time inside and developing cabin fever!! Trying to find that winter activity to help.
Sharon says:
Spending time with my teenagers. I never thought I would say this! My daughter came back for winter break (1st year at college) and we baked and decorated red velvet cupcakes to look like Christmas Bugs! It was a hit at our family get together. I spent time with my 17 year old son (who is going through some medical challenges right now) watching Les Miserables and having dinner afterward. It was one of our best family times ever. We also reconnected by playing board games during Hurricane Sandy and we’ve continued though he’s a fervent XBox gamer. Making time for family regardless of what you do builds long lasting memories and is easy to do during winter when it’s cold outside.
Camilla Wilson says:
Baking with my Granchildren.
Jennifer Sitz says:
staying indoors and watching tv
annulla says:
My favorite winter activity is staying inside and snuggling.
Gwen Garrett says:
Knitting! I find it very relaxing. My family has also benefitted; everyone got scarves for Xmas
Debra S says:
Me too!!! I can’t find much inside all summer so winter, I sew! AND we will watch movies, too, on wintery days when you can’t do much else. We catch up on any movies we have not seen all summer. eat brie and sausage and crackers
Linda Arzoumanian says:
Winter time is social time for those of us of a certain age. I enjoy serving my friends very fancy coffee with home made scones, biscotti, cookies, and quick breads.
sandra says:
sitting inside watching a movie
Barbara M. says:
I don’t do anything special in the winters here; it’s actually nicer than the summers so I do go walking a lot more! It’s easier to bundle up than it is to try to stay cool in over 100 degree heat.
joann langdon says:
Snuggled up in front of the fire with my hubby, and a good movie.
Ann says:
My favorite winter activity is lighting the fireplace after walking the dog and settling in with a hot cup of tea … or something stronger 🙂
Sandie Aliprantis says:
I like watching movies and eating pop corn at home.
Charlotte says:
I bake and cook everyday. They are very therapeutic to me, very relaxing and make me happy. Homemade hot food in cold days…hmmm!!!
Lisa R says:
snow tubing and my daughter watching me hit facedown in a pile of snow as the tube flips over into a snow drift….Lol
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
Pam Flynn says:
My favorite winter activity is curling up under my comfy blankie in my favorite chair and reading a great book by the window so I can look outside.
Melissa Leinart says:
I love playing with my dogs in the snow.
vic says:
I love to sew
Shannon Orton says:
Favorite winter activity would be shoveling snow, it’s quiet and peaceful and I get a good workout. I let my husband stay in and watch the three kids.
Victoria says:
First and always I love to hike- yes even in the winter. Snow hiking is big fun especially in snow shoes. That said, hiking in the winter without warm gear is no fun at all so make sure you read up on keeping warm and dry if you try it.
Eddy says:
Making large batches of soup, and sharing the wealth with my neighbors. Seeing them smile is as warm as any Summer day.
Tina says:
Exercising! Keeps my circulation going, and I don’t get as cold.
Melanie Montgomery says:
I really love to go see movies with my husband during the winter time!
audrey dirisio says:
baking cookies with my grandson
tarheel4ever says:
My favorite winter activity is sitting by a fireplace, sipping hot chocolate with marshmallows and watching a romantic movie on television. 🙂
REBECCA STEPHEN says:
I bake almost everyday, to heep my house warm and my grandchildren happy.
Jerrilynn Atherton says:
My favorite winter activity is curling up with a hot mug of peppermint tea and a great thriller to read!
Geri says:
Hi Jerriylnn
My real name is GERILYNN.
Geri
Deb says:
oops, I mean watching TV
Deb says:
staying warm, watch TV and waiting for spring 🙂