8/14/2007
Sweet Smelling Hands
"Here's my tip for removing the smell of fish, onions, garlic, even the smell from the garbage bag when it's leaked! Get a piece of cheesecloth and put a couple of tablespoons of coffee beans in the center and tie with string. After washing hands, just rub it all over your hands. It works every time! Another trick is to rub hands all over a piece of stainless steel." "My favorite and reliable remedy for removing the garlic smell or the prawn smell is to rub a teaspoon full of sugar into your hand. Add a couple of drops of water to make it stick & rub vigorously. Make sure you rinse well in warm water paying particular attention to under your nails as the crystals will stick down there. It works every time, odors disappear instantly." "To remove the odor of onion, bleach and laundry detergents from your skin, rinse with white vinegar." to get the fish smell off of our hands, we use vanilla extract or vanilla scented hand lotion." Love this tip!!
8/13/2007
101 Grocery & Household Cost Cutting Tips
101 Grocery & Household Cost Cutting Tips
1. Transfer small amounts (sour cream, yogurt, etc.) to an appropriate size container. They last much longer.
2. Use rubber spatulas to clean out jars, bottles, bowls, etc.
3. Grate your own cheese. It takes seconds!
4. If it's "convenient", it may be costly. (Pickles cut flat for sandwiches, etc.)
5. Freeze scouring pads. They last much longer if you freeze them in a plastic bag.
6. Try the new plastic vegetable storing bags.
7. Boil only the water needed for tea, soup, etc., not a kettle full. Saves both water and heat.
8. Cheap paper towels are all that are needed in most cases. Double them for bigger jobs.
9. Use a clean, fresh hand towel in the kitchen instead of paper towels.
10. Cook meals at home with a Crock-pot.
11. Try frozen bread dough for cinnamon buns.
12. Try some generic breads. You may be surprised!
13. Prepare foods from scratch when possible.
14. Plan meals ahead. Avoid last minute "costly" decisions.
15. Make a food budget and stick to it.
16. Substitute combinations of simple proteins like beans and rice for complex proteins like meat, fish, poultry that cost more.
17. Eat more in-season fruits and vegetables.
18. Comparison shop. Check unit pricing.
19. Avoid quick trips out to the store. It can be fun to substitute.
20. Buy in wholesale shops and farmer's markets. Avoid convenience stores.
21. Freeze milk if you know you won’t use it before the expiration date.
22. Pour leftovers from soda cans, juice cans, etc. into a jam or mayonnaise jar and cap tightly.
23. Make homemade birthday cakes.
24. Make homemade marinades, salad dressings, cocoa mix, etc.
25. Substitute dry milk in cooking. Good for baking.
26. Pack school and work lunches.
27. Reduce candy, soda, snacks and fast-food consumption.
28. Make pizza from scratch – it costs less than home delivery.
29 Buy generic popcorn instead of microwave.
30. Explore 5 ingredient recopies!
31. Make homemade popsicles by freezing fruit juice in small paper cups - add a spoon or tongue depressor for the handle.
32. Watch for sales. Stock up in quantity those items you use regularly and have a long shelf life (soap, laundry detergent).
33. Try baking soda as a cleaning agent, laundry booster, etc. It has many uses.
34. Many stores double cents-off coupons. Remember - 1 coupon requiring 2 items is not usually as beneficial as buying those 2 items with 2 separate coupons.
35. Use your cents-off coupons when the item is on sale for a real bargain.
26. Check coupons at the beginning of each month for expiration dates.
37. Many "cleaners" can be made at home. They're cheaper! A favorite for windows is: Mix ½ cup
ammonia, ½ cup white vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to a bucket of warm water (it does not have to stay warm to be effective). Wipe with crumpled newspaper.
38. Grow your own fruits and vegetables - herbs, too! Container gardening is an easy way to have fresh produce when you don’t have a lot of space or time.
39. If you use coffee only on occasion, store coffee beans in the freezer - they last longer.
40. Cut up your own chickens and freeze pieces for later use.
41. Freeze leftover iced tea.
42. Use a blender to make your own bread crumbs, cracker crumbs.
43. Keep brown sugar from hardening by storing it in well-sealed plastic ware with a small piece of orange rind to keep it soft.
44. Instead of your oven, use your energy efficient toaster oven to bake potatoes or par-bake them in the microwave and then immediately continue cooking in the oven until done.
45. Freeze leftover spaghetti, rice, noodles. Delicious soup can be quickly made later by adding them along with carrots, onions, etc. to canned or homemade chicken broth. (The broth from stewing chicken in your pressure cooker is wonderful.)
46. If only a small amount of cheese or cold cuts is needed, don't be bound to buying 1/4 of a pound (most markets will cut 2 oz.).
.
47. Use generic, bottled lemon when fresh lemons are too expensive.
48. Check marked-down produce. It is often a real bargain.
49. Recycle plastic shopping bags to use as garbage pail liners.
50. If you use a double boiler, the hot water left in the bottom can be used to heat frozen, cooked pasta just minutes before mealtime.
51. Mix your own cinnamon and sugar.
52. Buy less expensive spices to refill the "fancy" bottles in your spice rack.
53. Don't throw food away. Monitor your refrigerator and use your leftovers quickly. (Make sure something "new" is on the menu.)
54. Transfer boxed cookies, crackers, etc. to glass jars for longer storage.
55. Start a compost pile in your back yard.
56. Be aware that different sizes of the same product are not always side-by-side on the grocer's shelf.
57. Shake an appropriate liquid into a bottle to utilize all there is (vinegar in the catsup bottle when making barbecue sauce for instance).
58. Cook the poultry giblets for your dogs. They'll love you for it.
59. Dry celery leaves or fresh herbs in your oven when you’ve turned off the oven after baking something else. Put them in a jar so they last a longer. Use them to add flavor to soups and stews.
60. Remember - Never go to the market hungry.
61. Shop more than one market when possible. Shop for the best deals at the different stores.
62. For long storage, keep flour in a plastic bag in the freezer.
63. Leftover pimentos will keep longer if covered with vinegar before storing in refrigerator.
64. Rather than throwing away left over onions or peppers, cut them up and put them in the freezer. You'll always have a supply of cut-up.
65. Cook extra and make your own TV dinners by freezing portions that will be ready to reheat later.
66. Keep fresh parsley in the freezer all ready for use, after washing, stemming and drying it.
67. When tomatoes are in abundance, core them and freeze them whole. Just before using, hold under running water and the skin will come right off. Use in stews, sauces, etc.
68. Skin a whole batch of garlic and freeze in zip-lock bags. This can be used directly from the freezer giving it a much greater shelf life.
69. The bigger the turkey, the cheaper it is per pound (the bones weigh, too!).
70. For those who enjoy bacon, buy it on sale and freeze in desired amounts. Cook on low. No need to defrost.
71. Look for cookbooks that offer suggestions on how to use up leftovers. Check you local library.
.
72. Lightly butter the cut edges of semi-hard cheeses; they will be less likely to dry or mold. (Cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Blue)
73. Combine small amounts of leftover soups for a different taste.
74. When making several sandwiches, it is sometimes cheaper to buy long loaves of bread (Italian or French) and cut them into smaller pieces than it is to buy individual rolls.
75. Go to the library to look for new recipes.
76. Greatly reduce cooking time for fresh beets by using a pressure cooker.
77. Extend 1 pound ground meat for meatballs or patties with ½ cup cottage cheese. It adds flavor, protein and increases servings from 4 to 6 per pound.
78. Evaporated milk can be used in place of heavy cream for whipping. (Just be sure the milk is so cold that it has crystals around the edge and that the bowl and beaters are ice cold, too)
79. Stir 1 teaspoon lemon juice into an 8-ounce carton of plain yogurt as a low-calorie, low-cost substitute for sour cream.
80. Minimize refrigerator door openings. Gather up everything after a meal in one area and open just once or twice.
81. It is not necessary to buy more expensive ground beef. With proper cooking, most fat is lost in the cooking anyway. Broil your hamburger patties (on a rack).
82. Avoid vending machines, coffee carts and snack bars at work. Bring snacks from home.
83. "Read" a couple of good cookbooks from cover to cover.
84. Prepare as many meals as possible with energy-saving appliances, such as a microwave oven, a pressure cooker or a crock-pot.
85. Cook several dishes all together in the oven. Freeze some to reheat later. Be sure to cool down properly.
86. Invest in a good roasting pan rather than using disposable ones.
87. Everyday extracts (vanilla) can often be substituted for more exotic, less used extracts.
88. Occasionally bake some muffins instead of buying cookies. Fill them with whole grains, fruit and vegetables. They generally contain less fat and sugar than cookies.
89. Leftovers from dinner often make a good, economical lunch.
90. According to Good Housekeeping Magazine, grocery co-ops (buying in bulk), can help cut your food bill by as much as 40%.
91. Individual servings of juice are costly when compared to a large can of the same juice. Make smaller portions by pouring into jam or mayonnaise jars.
92. Buy large bags instead of small bags of snacks. Re-package your own for lunch treats, etc.
93. Don't "push" large portions of food on children who cannot eat them.
94. On gas stoves, keep the flame just under the pan for fuel conservation.
.95. Use leftover rolls, French bread, etc. for garlic bread or croutons for salads. Toast in a toaster oven.
96. When the proper refrigeration is available, pack sandwiches of leftover meat loaf for bagged lunches.
99. Buy cranberries in season, on-sale. Freeze for use all year. Cranberries are great in muffins (pies, too!)
100. Visit some specialty markets such as Italian, Chinese, etc. They all carry some inexpensive, unusual possibilities.
101. Take the family blueberry picking. Lay them flat on a cookie sheet, place in the freezer until frozen. Once frozen transfer them to a plastic freezer bag.
1. Transfer small amounts (sour cream, yogurt, etc.) to an appropriate size container. They last much longer.
2. Use rubber spatulas to clean out jars, bottles, bowls, etc.
3. Grate your own cheese. It takes seconds!
4. If it's "convenient", it may be costly. (Pickles cut flat for sandwiches, etc.)
5. Freeze scouring pads. They last much longer if you freeze them in a plastic bag.
6. Try the new plastic vegetable storing bags.
7. Boil only the water needed for tea, soup, etc., not a kettle full. Saves both water and heat.
8. Cheap paper towels are all that are needed in most cases. Double them for bigger jobs.
9. Use a clean, fresh hand towel in the kitchen instead of paper towels.
10. Cook meals at home with a Crock-pot.
11. Try frozen bread dough for cinnamon buns.
12. Try some generic breads. You may be surprised!
13. Prepare foods from scratch when possible.
14. Plan meals ahead. Avoid last minute "costly" decisions.
15. Make a food budget and stick to it.
16. Substitute combinations of simple proteins like beans and rice for complex proteins like meat, fish, poultry that cost more.
17. Eat more in-season fruits and vegetables.
18. Comparison shop. Check unit pricing.
19. Avoid quick trips out to the store. It can be fun to substitute.
20. Buy in wholesale shops and farmer's markets. Avoid convenience stores.
21. Freeze milk if you know you won’t use it before the expiration date.
22. Pour leftovers from soda cans, juice cans, etc. into a jam or mayonnaise jar and cap tightly.
23. Make homemade birthday cakes.
24. Make homemade marinades, salad dressings, cocoa mix, etc.
25. Substitute dry milk in cooking. Good for baking.
26. Pack school and work lunches.
27. Reduce candy, soda, snacks and fast-food consumption.
28. Make pizza from scratch – it costs less than home delivery.
29 Buy generic popcorn instead of microwave.
30. Explore 5 ingredient recopies!
31. Make homemade popsicles by freezing fruit juice in small paper cups - add a spoon or tongue depressor for the handle.
32. Watch for sales. Stock up in quantity those items you use regularly and have a long shelf life (soap, laundry detergent).
33. Try baking soda as a cleaning agent, laundry booster, etc. It has many uses.
34. Many stores double cents-off coupons. Remember - 1 coupon requiring 2 items is not usually as beneficial as buying those 2 items with 2 separate coupons.
35. Use your cents-off coupons when the item is on sale for a real bargain.
26. Check coupons at the beginning of each month for expiration dates.
37. Many "cleaners" can be made at home. They're cheaper! A favorite for windows is: Mix ½ cup
ammonia, ½ cup white vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to a bucket of warm water (it does not have to stay warm to be effective). Wipe with crumpled newspaper.
38. Grow your own fruits and vegetables - herbs, too! Container gardening is an easy way to have fresh produce when you don’t have a lot of space or time.
39. If you use coffee only on occasion, store coffee beans in the freezer - they last longer.
40. Cut up your own chickens and freeze pieces for later use.
41. Freeze leftover iced tea.
42. Use a blender to make your own bread crumbs, cracker crumbs.
43. Keep brown sugar from hardening by storing it in well-sealed plastic ware with a small piece of orange rind to keep it soft.
44. Instead of your oven, use your energy efficient toaster oven to bake potatoes or par-bake them in the microwave and then immediately continue cooking in the oven until done.
45. Freeze leftover spaghetti, rice, noodles. Delicious soup can be quickly made later by adding them along with carrots, onions, etc. to canned or homemade chicken broth. (The broth from stewing chicken in your pressure cooker is wonderful.)
46. If only a small amount of cheese or cold cuts is needed, don't be bound to buying 1/4 of a pound (most markets will cut 2 oz.).
.
47. Use generic, bottled lemon when fresh lemons are too expensive.
48. Check marked-down produce. It is often a real bargain.
49. Recycle plastic shopping bags to use as garbage pail liners.
50. If you use a double boiler, the hot water left in the bottom can be used to heat frozen, cooked pasta just minutes before mealtime.
51. Mix your own cinnamon and sugar.
52. Buy less expensive spices to refill the "fancy" bottles in your spice rack.
53. Don't throw food away. Monitor your refrigerator and use your leftovers quickly. (Make sure something "new" is on the menu.)
54. Transfer boxed cookies, crackers, etc. to glass jars for longer storage.
55. Start a compost pile in your back yard.
56. Be aware that different sizes of the same product are not always side-by-side on the grocer's shelf.
57. Shake an appropriate liquid into a bottle to utilize all there is (vinegar in the catsup bottle when making barbecue sauce for instance).
58. Cook the poultry giblets for your dogs. They'll love you for it.
59. Dry celery leaves or fresh herbs in your oven when you’ve turned off the oven after baking something else. Put them in a jar so they last a longer. Use them to add flavor to soups and stews.
60. Remember - Never go to the market hungry.
61. Shop more than one market when possible. Shop for the best deals at the different stores.
62. For long storage, keep flour in a plastic bag in the freezer.
63. Leftover pimentos will keep longer if covered with vinegar before storing in refrigerator.
64. Rather than throwing away left over onions or peppers, cut them up and put them in the freezer. You'll always have a supply of cut-up.
65. Cook extra and make your own TV dinners by freezing portions that will be ready to reheat later.
66. Keep fresh parsley in the freezer all ready for use, after washing, stemming and drying it.
67. When tomatoes are in abundance, core them and freeze them whole. Just before using, hold under running water and the skin will come right off. Use in stews, sauces, etc.
68. Skin a whole batch of garlic and freeze in zip-lock bags. This can be used directly from the freezer giving it a much greater shelf life.
69. The bigger the turkey, the cheaper it is per pound (the bones weigh, too!).
70. For those who enjoy bacon, buy it on sale and freeze in desired amounts. Cook on low. No need to defrost.
71. Look for cookbooks that offer suggestions on how to use up leftovers. Check you local library.
.
72. Lightly butter the cut edges of semi-hard cheeses; they will be less likely to dry or mold. (Cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Blue)
73. Combine small amounts of leftover soups for a different taste.
74. When making several sandwiches, it is sometimes cheaper to buy long loaves of bread (Italian or French) and cut them into smaller pieces than it is to buy individual rolls.
75. Go to the library to look for new recipes.
76. Greatly reduce cooking time for fresh beets by using a pressure cooker.
77. Extend 1 pound ground meat for meatballs or patties with ½ cup cottage cheese. It adds flavor, protein and increases servings from 4 to 6 per pound.
78. Evaporated milk can be used in place of heavy cream for whipping. (Just be sure the milk is so cold that it has crystals around the edge and that the bowl and beaters are ice cold, too)
79. Stir 1 teaspoon lemon juice into an 8-ounce carton of plain yogurt as a low-calorie, low-cost substitute for sour cream.
80. Minimize refrigerator door openings. Gather up everything after a meal in one area and open just once or twice.
81. It is not necessary to buy more expensive ground beef. With proper cooking, most fat is lost in the cooking anyway. Broil your hamburger patties (on a rack).
82. Avoid vending machines, coffee carts and snack bars at work. Bring snacks from home.
83. "Read" a couple of good cookbooks from cover to cover.
84. Prepare as many meals as possible with energy-saving appliances, such as a microwave oven, a pressure cooker or a crock-pot.
85. Cook several dishes all together in the oven. Freeze some to reheat later. Be sure to cool down properly.
86. Invest in a good roasting pan rather than using disposable ones.
87. Everyday extracts (vanilla) can often be substituted for more exotic, less used extracts.
88. Occasionally bake some muffins instead of buying cookies. Fill them with whole grains, fruit and vegetables. They generally contain less fat and sugar than cookies.
89. Leftovers from dinner often make a good, economical lunch.
90. According to Good Housekeeping Magazine, grocery co-ops (buying in bulk), can help cut your food bill by as much as 40%.
91. Individual servings of juice are costly when compared to a large can of the same juice. Make smaller portions by pouring into jam or mayonnaise jars.
92. Buy large bags instead of small bags of snacks. Re-package your own for lunch treats, etc.
93. Don't "push" large portions of food on children who cannot eat them.
94. On gas stoves, keep the flame just under the pan for fuel conservation.
.95. Use leftover rolls, French bread, etc. for garlic bread or croutons for salads. Toast in a toaster oven.
96. When the proper refrigeration is available, pack sandwiches of leftover meat loaf for bagged lunches.
99. Buy cranberries in season, on-sale. Freeze for use all year. Cranberries are great in muffins (pies, too!)
100. Visit some specialty markets such as Italian, Chinese, etc. They all carry some inexpensive, unusual possibilities.
101. Take the family blueberry picking. Lay them flat on a cookie sheet, place in the freezer until frozen. Once frozen transfer them to a plastic freezer bag.
8/11/2007
Cooking Tips
BROILING
Add one cup of water to the bottom portion of the broiling pan before
putting it in the oven. The water will absorb the smoke and grease
and make the food more tender.
CABBAGE ROLLS
Here are a few tips to soften cabbage leaves for making cabbage
rolls. Put the head of cabbage in the freezer any where from one hour
to two days then defrost. Cut out the core and rinse. The leaves will be
soft enough to remove, fill and roll. The "old fashion method works
great also. Just cut out the core and place the cabbage in a large
pot of boiling water. Then with a long fork, turn the cabbage and
remove the leaves. Rinse, fill and roll!
CAKES
If you run out of flour or just want your chocolate cake to not have that
"white dust" on it, use cocoa to dust the bottom of your cake pan.
To test the doneness of your cake, use a raw piece of spaghetti.
If a cake sticks to the pan after baking, simply set the pan over a pot
of boiling water for a minute or two. It will pop out of the pan nice and
neat!
CRISPER CELERY
Wrap celery in aluminum foil when storing in your fridge. It will keep
weeks longer!
CILANTRO
Get yourself a bunch of fresh cilantro, wash and trim of the stems.
Dry on paper towels then put in individual freezer snack bags.
Freeze. When you need some fresh cilantro for salsa, soup or dips,
just get a pack from the freezer, crush or chop and add to your recipe. Fresh cilantro! Wa-La!
CROUTONS
To make delicious warm toasty croutons, cut up leftover bread into
cubes. Fry them in olive oil and spices. My trick is to use olive oil
cooking spray to cut down on the calories. Then I add garlic powder
(not garlic salt!), a little season-all, parsley, and a tad of parmesan
cheese. Just fry until brown. These tasty morsels freeze well too!
FRENCH FRIES
To make better French fries just soak fresh-cut potatoes in water for
five minutes, drain and pat dry before cooking to remove the excess
starch that causes them to clump together (and from keeping them
from sticking to the pan while cooking). For extra crispy fries just dust
them lightly with flour before you fry. (restaurants use this great tip!)
FRESH EGGS
To test to see if an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted
water. If it sinks, it's fresh. If it floats, throw it away!!
Add one cup of water to the bottom portion of the broiling pan before
putting it in the oven. The water will absorb the smoke and grease
and make the food more tender.
CABBAGE ROLLS
Here are a few tips to soften cabbage leaves for making cabbage
rolls. Put the head of cabbage in the freezer any where from one hour
to two days then defrost. Cut out the core and rinse. The leaves will be
soft enough to remove, fill and roll. The "old fashion method works
great also. Just cut out the core and place the cabbage in a large
pot of boiling water. Then with a long fork, turn the cabbage and
remove the leaves. Rinse, fill and roll!
CAKES
If you run out of flour or just want your chocolate cake to not have that
"white dust" on it, use cocoa to dust the bottom of your cake pan.
To test the doneness of your cake, use a raw piece of spaghetti.
If a cake sticks to the pan after baking, simply set the pan over a pot
of boiling water for a minute or two. It will pop out of the pan nice and
neat!
CRISPER CELERY
Wrap celery in aluminum foil when storing in your fridge. It will keep
weeks longer!
CILANTRO
Get yourself a bunch of fresh cilantro, wash and trim of the stems.
Dry on paper towels then put in individual freezer snack bags.
Freeze. When you need some fresh cilantro for salsa, soup or dips,
just get a pack from the freezer, crush or chop and add to your recipe. Fresh cilantro! Wa-La!
CROUTONS
To make delicious warm toasty croutons, cut up leftover bread into
cubes. Fry them in olive oil and spices. My trick is to use olive oil
cooking spray to cut down on the calories. Then I add garlic powder
(not garlic salt!), a little season-all, parsley, and a tad of parmesan
cheese. Just fry until brown. These tasty morsels freeze well too!
FRENCH FRIES
To make better French fries just soak fresh-cut potatoes in water for
five minutes, drain and pat dry before cooking to remove the excess
starch that causes them to clump together (and from keeping them
from sticking to the pan while cooking). For extra crispy fries just dust
them lightly with flour before you fry. (restaurants use this great tip!)
FRESH EGGS
To test to see if an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted
water. If it sinks, it's fresh. If it floats, throw it away!!
8/07/2007
FIGHT MOSQUITO'S
OK, mosquito's...prepare to be repelled!!!!!
Use Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets...Best thing ever used in Louisiana..just wipe on & go...Great for Babies
Bob, a fisherman, takes one vitamin B-1 tablet a day
April through October . He said it works. He was right.
The odor the tablet gives out through your skin
(YOU can not smell it) repels mosquitoes,black flies,
no seeum's, and knat's. It does not work on stinging insects. Hasn't had a mosquito bite in 33 years. Try it.
Every one he has talked into trying it works on them.
Vitimin B-1( Thiamine Hydrochloride 100 mg.)
Kenn said NPR reports that if you eat bananas,
the mosquitos like you, something about the banana oil
as your body processes it. (Maybe they need the potassium too- lol) Stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquitos will be much less interested.
This is going to floor you, but one of the best
insect repellents someone found (who is in the woods
every day), is Vick's Vaporub.
Plant marigolds around the yard, the flowers give off
a smell that bugs do not like, so plant some in that garden also to help ward off bugs without using insecticides.
"Tough guy" Marines who spend a great deal of time
"camping out" say that the very best mosquito
repellant you can use is Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil mixed about half and half with alcohol.
mix your own:
20 drops Eucalyptus oil
20 drops Cedarwood oil
10 drops Tea Tree oil
10 drops Geranium oil
2 oz. carrier oil ( such as Jojoba )
Mix together in a 4 oz. container. Apply to skin as
needed avoiding the eye area. Keep out of reach
of children. Test on a small area of skin for sensitivities .
Experiment with different percentages of essential oil
One of the best natural insect repellants that I've discovered is made from the clear real vanilla (not the grocery store vanilla extract which is mostly alcohol). This is the pure vanilla that is sold in Mexico. It's cheap there if you know of someone that lives there or in the US close to the border. If not, health food stores usually carry it or can order it for you. I use it half vanilla and half water and find that it works great for mosquitoes and ticks, don't know about other insects.
When all else fails--get a frog
Use Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets...Best thing ever used in Louisiana..just wipe on & go...Great for Babies
Bob, a fisherman, takes one vitamin B-1 tablet a day
April through October . He said it works. He was right.
The odor the tablet gives out through your skin
(YOU can not smell it) repels mosquitoes,black flies,
no seeum's, and knat's. It does not work on stinging insects. Hasn't had a mosquito bite in 33 years. Try it.
Every one he has talked into trying it works on them.
Vitimin B-1( Thiamine Hydrochloride 100 mg.)
Kenn said NPR reports that if you eat bananas,
the mosquitos like you, something about the banana oil
as your body processes it. (Maybe they need the potassium too- lol) Stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquitos will be much less interested.
This is going to floor you, but one of the best
insect repellents someone found (who is in the woods
every day), is Vick's Vaporub.
Plant marigolds around the yard, the flowers give off
a smell that bugs do not like, so plant some in that garden also to help ward off bugs without using insecticides.
"Tough guy" Marines who spend a great deal of time
"camping out" say that the very best mosquito
repellant you can use is Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil mixed about half and half with alcohol.
mix your own:
20 drops Eucalyptus oil
20 drops Cedarwood oil
10 drops Tea Tree oil
10 drops Geranium oil
2 oz. carrier oil ( such as Jojoba )
Mix together in a 4 oz. container. Apply to skin as
needed avoiding the eye area. Keep out of reach
of children. Test on a small area of skin for sensitivities .
Experiment with different percentages of essential oil
One of the best natural insect repellants that I've discovered is made from the clear real vanilla (not the grocery store vanilla extract which is mostly alcohol). This is the pure vanilla that is sold in Mexico. It's cheap there if you know of someone that lives there or in the US close to the border. If not, health food stores usually carry it or can order it for you. I use it half vanilla and half water and find that it works great for mosquitoes and ticks, don't know about other insects.
When all else fails--get a frog
8/04/2007
TIPS FOR A LIFETIME (or at least an afternoon)
1) Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.
2) Use a meat baster to "squeeze" your pancake batter onto the hot griddle - perfect shaped pancakes every time.
3) To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
4) To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling.
5) Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treats in the pan-the marshmallow won't stick to your fingers.
6) To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing.
7) To easily remove burnt-on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove-top - skillet will be much easier to clean.
8) Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato-based sauces - no more stains.
9) When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead - no white mess on the outside of the cake.
10) If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato - it absorbs the excess salt for an instant "fix me up".
11) Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator - it will keep for weeks.
12) Brush beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.
13) Place a slice of apple in hardened brown sugar to soften it back up.
14) When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.
15) To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh - if it rises to the surface, throw it away.
16) Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
17) Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.
18) If you have a problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.
19) Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water.
20) To get rid of itch from mosquito bite: try applying soap on the area, instant relief.
21) Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march - see for yourself.
22) Use air-freshener to clean mirrors: It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
23) When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.
24) NOW Look what you can do with Alka-Seltzer: Clean a toilet - drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush, and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous china. Clean a vase - to remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets. Polish jewelry - drop two Alka-Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes. Clean a thermos bottle - fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka-Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary). Unclog a drain - clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka-Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.
2) Use a meat baster to "squeeze" your pancake batter onto the hot griddle - perfect shaped pancakes every time.
3) To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
4) To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling.
5) Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treats in the pan-the marshmallow won't stick to your fingers.
6) To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing.
7) To easily remove burnt-on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove-top - skillet will be much easier to clean.
8) Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato-based sauces - no more stains.
9) When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead - no white mess on the outside of the cake.
10) If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato - it absorbs the excess salt for an instant "fix me up".
11) Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator - it will keep for weeks.
12) Brush beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.
13) Place a slice of apple in hardened brown sugar to soften it back up.
14) When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.
15) To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh - if it rises to the surface, throw it away.
16) Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
17) Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.
18) If you have a problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.
19) Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water.
20) To get rid of itch from mosquito bite: try applying soap on the area, instant relief.
21) Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march - see for yourself.
22) Use air-freshener to clean mirrors: It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
23) When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.
24) NOW Look what you can do with Alka-Seltzer: Clean a toilet - drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush, and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous china. Clean a vase - to remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets. Polish jewelry - drop two Alka-Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes. Clean a thermos bottle - fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka-Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary). Unclog a drain - clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka-Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.
8/02/2007
Blood and Coca-Cola
In many states the highway patrol carries two gallons of coca cola in the back of their patrol cars It. The reason for it is that it "eats" the blood off the concrete and looks like water therefore it is not so noticeable as kitty litter or sawdust. There's a great show on the Discovery Channel called Mythbusters and they did several experiments with Coke. The one about highway patrol carrying Coke with them is TRUE! The Mythbusters used pigs blood and poured it on their parking lot in 2 spots. One spot they hosed down with water, but there was still some blood left. The other, they poured some Coke on and let it sit for just a minute, hosed it off and ALL the blood was gone!"
8/01/2007
Homemade Dog Treats
1 1/4 cups grated Cheddar cheese at room temp.
1 1/2 cups of buckwheat, rice, or rye flour
1/4 pound softened corn oil margarine
milk
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Add enough milk to form the dough into a ball. Cover and chill for 1/2 hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On a floured board roll the dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut with bone shaped cookie cutters. No bone shapes? Use your creativity and cut different shapes by hand. Place on a un-greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 min. or until firm and slightly brown. Makes 2 - 3 dozen biscuits (depending on the size). If you want to be fancy, brush a beaten egg onto the biscuits before baking for a nice glossy finish.
1 1/2 cups of buckwheat, rice, or rye flour
1/4 pound softened corn oil margarine
milk
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Add enough milk to form the dough into a ball. Cover and chill for 1/2 hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On a floured board roll the dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut with bone shaped cookie cutters. No bone shapes? Use your creativity and cut different shapes by hand. Place on a un-greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 min. or until firm and slightly brown. Makes 2 - 3 dozen biscuits (depending on the size). If you want to be fancy, brush a beaten egg onto the biscuits before baking for a nice glossy finish.
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