Betsy, my shih tzu, has a bubble machine. She likes to chase bubbles and was going through solution fast. I found a recipe in my mom’s recipe box for a bubble solution. So of course, I started thinking about bubbles and how they connect our world in ways large and small. From the bubbles of oxygen that fill our lungs to the bubble wrap that keeps our packages safe. Most people smile when they see bubbles. Humans like bubbles.
We put bubbles in our water to make it fizzy. The acidity in carbonated drinks lights up the pain receptors in nerve endings — in a way that pleases the tongue.
Popping bubble wrap is more than tactile. The repetitive motion and predictive sound create a rhythmic pattern that our brains find soothing and then release feel good chemicals like dopamine.
We create bubbles in our lives. Your bubble is the boundaries you create between yourself and the outside world. These consist of all boundaries, including but not limited to physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual boundaries.
The act of blowing bubbles forces people to stop what they are doing and focus on their breathing, which can help lower anxiety levels. While watching bubbles can also be calming.
Bubbles teach us science. They form due to a phenomenon called surface tension. When soapy water is trapped between layers of soap molecules, it creates a thin film. This film, when exposed to air, forms a bubble. The colors we see shimmering on a bubble’s surface are due to light refracting and interfering with itself adding to a bubble’s magic.
There aren’t many things as versatile as bubbles. Without them, cakes wouldn’t rise, hot tubs would be weird communal baths, and kids’ party bags would be a lot emptier. Bubbles can really liven things up, and admit it, the best time you had was blowing bubbles with a straw in your chocolate milk.
One thing I always have in the pantry is a cake mix. Call it a hack, a shortcut, or a super simple “recipe,” but combining a 12-ounce can of soda and a standard box of cake mix is like a magic trick. The cake mix contains all the dry ingredients of a scratch-made cake, including a raising agent, like baking soda or cream of tartar. Adding a can of soda pop activates the mix’s dry leavening elements so that the cake will rise. I don’t always have eggs and oil to use for a cake, but I usually have a can of soda. The result is an extra moist and soft cake, with more flavor than usual thanks to your soda of choice. And it’s every bit as bouncy and fluffy as any other cake with or without frosting.
Soda & cake recipe
1 box cake mix
1 12 oz can of soda
Simply stir together the soda and cake mix and follow the mix’s baking instructions for the size of the pan and cook time.
Some of my favorite combinations: (And yes, diet soda works too)
Coca Cola + Chocolate Cake Mix
Sprite + Yellow Cake Mix
Dr. Pepper + Red Velvet Cake Mix
A&W Cream Soda + Vanilla Cake Mix
Barq’s Root Beer + Spice Cake Mix
Canada Dry Ginger Ale + Carrot Cake Mix
Mountain Dew + Lemon Cake Mix
Fanta Strawberry + Strawberry Cake Mix
Sierra Mist + Butter Pecan Cake Mix
Mr. Pibb + Devil’s Food Cake
Betsy’s bubble solution recipe (Nontoxic but not for human consumption.)
2 cups joy dishwashing liquid
6 cups water
¾ cups white karo syrup
Combine, shake, et settle 4 hours before using. Store covered in refrigerator to extend suds shelf life, then allow to warm before using.
Courtesy photos
