The Mystery Ingredient

Many years ago—after visiting my parents—I would usually be sent home with a small “care package” of food, or necessities, or a gift that they thought was important for me to have. Often that package would consist of simple everyday items like sugar, or toothpaste, or a box of things they no longer wanted to store in their basement.

Because my mom knew that I was a minimalist (or maybe because she bought in bulk), many times these products would be placed in small, unlabeled, ziploc bags. If she told me what was in them — which she probably did — I would usually forget by the time I used it.

So, when I went looking in my pantry for baking soda, the small plastic bag with an unnamed grainy, white powder in it seemed like a good choice. How many grainy, white powders can there be?

After a sniff test (odorless) and a wet pinky taste (tasteless), I decided there was a good chance it was what I needed.

But something kept nagging me about it even after continuing with prepping, mixing, and waiting for the oven to heat. Which is why just before putting my concoction in to bake, I had a “better-safe-than-sorry” moment and decided to call my mom.

In life, there are times to take risks, and times to double check your work. Sometimes it’s worth taking a few minutes to ask a few questions before jumping in. That is, unless you like the taste of laundry detergent muffins.