More helpful hints from Joey Green's Kitchen Magic. This time the topic is Food Secrets. I found most of them very interesting and picked out some to share. But there are tons more in the book that I am not putting here.
Aparagus - To revitalize wilted asparagus, cut an inch off the bottom of the stalk. Mix one teaspoon ReaLemon juice and two quarts of cool water. Soak the asparagus in the solution for 30 - 60 minutes.
Bacon - Before frying bacon, soak the strips in cold water for a few minutes. The bacon will curl less in the frying pan.
Here's another bacon idea that was not in the book: cook bacon in a waffle iron and half way through cooking process,
open waffle iron and reposition bacon strips to ensure uniform
cooking. Close the iron and finish cooking. Supposedly, this eliminates the
problem of grease spattering all over the place. Then cook your waffles next in the same iron, and it gives them great bacon flavoring.
Baking Powder - To make baking powder, mix 2 teaspoons of Cream of Tartar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and one teaspoon of Corn Starch.
Barbecue Sauce - For a fast and tasty BBQ sauce, mix Coke with Ketchup.
Berries - Chill berries in the fridge before washing them off to prevent the berries from absorbing too much water and becoming soggy.
Broccoli - Cooking a stalk of celery with broccoli prevents the broccoli from emitting strong odor.
Brown Sugar - To revived hardened Brown Sugar, empty the sugar into a plastic container and put a slice or two of white bread on top of it, put the lid on and let it sit for a couple weeks or so. The bread absorbs the moisture from the brown sugar and it will soften again.
Cabbage - To reduce the odor of cooking cabbage, add 1/4 teaspoon of Baking Soda to the cooking water.
German Chocolate Cake - Originated in 1957 in Texas... the recipe, that is. The bittersweet chocolate was developed by Samuel German, in Massachusetts, in 1852. It was named German's Sweet Chocolate in honor of Samuel German, an Englishman. It has no connection to Germany. (There are a lot of these "Strange Facts" in the book).
Cauliflower - To keep it white when cooking, add one teaspoon of sugar to the cooking water.
Cheese - To flavor and refresh a block of cheese, saturate a cloth with Wine Vinegar, wrap it around the cheese and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Cookies - To soften cookies that have lost their moistness, place the cookies and a slice of bread into a Ziploc bag. Seal it and let it sit overnight. In the morning, the cookies will be moist again.
Cranberries - Cook cranberries until they pop and then remove from the heat source. Any additional cooking makes them bitter.
Cupcakes - To frost cupcakes with ease, two minutes before removing the pan of cupcakes from the oven, place a Jet-Puffed marshmallow on top of each cupcake. The heat melts the marshmallows, creating a creamy frosting.
Eggs - To keep the yolk in the center of the egg as you are hard boiling it (like for deviled eggs), stir the eggs while they are boiling. The movement will keep the yolk centered.
Eggs - To make fluffy scrambled eggs, mix in one teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of water for every two eggs when beating the eggs.
Egg Substitute - If you run out of eggs while baking a cake, substitute one teaspoon Baking Soda and one teaspoon White Vinegar for each egg.
French Fries - Place the cut potatoes into a bowl of ice water and refrigerate for one hour. Dry thoroughly on paper towels and fry in oil for a few minutes. Remove from the oil and carefully dry them again. Sprinkle with flour and fry again until golden brown.
Ginger - To preserve diced, fresh ginger in the fridge, peel and chop the ginger, place in a jar, top off with Vodka and seal the lid securely. It will last for a year in the fridge.
Honey - If you substitute honey for the sugar in a recipe, reduce the liquid by half. For baked goods, add 1/2 teaspoon of Baking Soda for each cup of honey used and reduce the oven temp by 25 degrees to prevent overbrowning.
Lemons and Limes - The ones with the smoothest skin and the smallest points at each end contain more juice and provide the best flavor.
Mushrooms - To prevent mushrooms from shriveling and turning brown while sauteeing, add one teaspoon realLemon Juice for each quarter pound of butter. The juice will help keep the mushrooms white and firm.
Oil - To reduce the amount of cooking oil absorbed by fried food, add one tablespoon white vinegar to the frying pan before heating the oil.
Onion - If you intend to only use half an onion, after cutting the onion in half, rub the open face of the leftover half with butter to preserve it longer.
Oranges - If you cover an unpeeled orange with boiling hot water for five minutes, when you peel the orange no white fibers from the peel with adhere to the pulp.
Pancakes - To make them fluffier, substitute the liquid called for in your recipe with with club soda. (note: I have done this and it does make a better, lighter, fluffier pancake).
Peaches - To get them to ripen faster, put them in a cardboard box and cover the fruit with a few sheets of newspaper then seal the box closed. The newsprint keeps the ethylene gas emitted by the peaches close to the fruit causing the peaches to ripen. Do the same thing for Pears.
Pepper - To prevent the holes in your pepper shaker from getting clogged, add a few whole black peppercorns to the shaker. They absorb the excess moisture and give the crushed pepper a fresher flavor.
Pie Crust - To make a flakier crust, substitute sour cream for the liquid in the recipe.
Pineapple - Never use fresh pineapple in your gelatin desserts. The enzyme bromelain breaks down the protein in the gelatin preventing it from setting. You can used canned pineapple, which, since it has been cooked, the enzyme has been deactivated.
Roast - When cooking a roast, do not add salt until the meat is nearly cooked. Salt extracts the juices from the meat, making it moist and tasty, but if you salt the roast too early, the heat from the oven will dry out those juices.... making it dry.
Salad - To prevent it from getting soggy in the salad serving bowl, place a saucer upside down in the bottom of the bowl before you put the salad in. Excess water or dressing drains down the sides of the saucer and your salad isn't sitting in it!
Sausage links - To prevent them from curling up in the frying pan, link a few together with toothpicks and when you're done cooking them, take the toothpicks back out before serving.
Sweet Potato - To easily peel it, boil it and then submerge it in cold water. Give the potato a slight twist of your hand and the skin falls right off.
Syrup - Mix one cup of brown sugar with 1/2 cup of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 15 minutes. Add one teaspoon of Imitation Maple flavoring.
Tomatoes - To ripen green tomatoes, place them in a brown paper bag, close the bag and leave it in a dark place at room temperature for several days. (Note: I do this every year at the end of garden season and it works great!). If you want them to ripen faster, stick an apple or banana in there with the tomatoes. The ethylene gas from the apple or banana with hasten the ripening.
Turkey - To prevent the white meat from drying out when roasting a turkey, place the bird breast side down in the pan and turn it breast side up for the last hour of roasting only.
Vegetables - To help veggies retain their vitamin content and make green veggies stay green, add a little ReaLemon juice to the cooking liquid to make the solution slightly acidic.
Showing posts with label helpful hints. Show all posts
Showing posts with label helpful hints. Show all posts
Monday, October 29, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Helpful Hints - Kitchen Remedies
I recently bought a book called "Kitchen Magic" by Joey Green. It's a good book, has a variety of helpful hints for cleaning, cooking, home remedies, and other stuff.
I picked out a few to share with you from the "Astonishing Kitchen Remedies" section.
Arthritis: eat one serving of Jello every day. The amino acids are supposed to stimulate production of collagen and provide nutritional support for cartilage.
Bad Breath: Dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda with one teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup of water. Rinse your mouth and/or gargle with the solution.
Colds and Flu: Mix 10 - 20 drops Tabasco Pepper Sauce in one cup of Tomato Juice. Drink several glasses of the spicy tonic daily. It should help to clear the nose, sinuses, and lungs. You can also mix the Tabasco into a glass of water and gargle with it to help clear the respiratory tract.
Homemade Cough Syrup: Mix 4 tablespoons of ReaLemon lemon juice, 1 cup Honey, and 1/2 cup of olive oil in a saucepan. Warm over low heat for five minutes. Stir vigorously for several minutes until the mix becomes syrupy. Take one teaspoon of the formula every 2 hours. Store in an airtight container.
Constipation: Mix 2 tablespoons of ReaLemon juice with 1 cup of warm water. Drink it before you have breakfast. The combination will stimulate the intestines.
Ice Pack: Prepare Jello according to the instructions on the box and let it cool enough to pour it into a Ziploc bag. Put the bag in the freezer after you seal it shut. It should become a flexible, inexpensive, ice pack that will conform to your body. When you're done with it, just put it back in the freezer.
Indigestion: According to the box, drinking one-half of a teaspoon of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda dissolved in 1/2 glass of water neutralizes stomach acid.
Insect bites: To relieve itching and swelling from an insect bite, us a cotton ball to rub ReaLemon juice on the bug bite. It may sting a little at first. It works as both an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. White vinegar on a cotton ball will relieve an itch from a bug bite almost instantly, also.
Insomnia: Take one teaspoon of Honey before bedtime. Honey acts as a sedative to the nervous system. Within an hour you should be asleep.
Shaving: Apply Cool Whip to wet skin as a shaving cream. The coconut and palm kernel oils in the Cool Whip moisturize the skin for a close shave and leaves your skin soft and smooth.
Okay, that's it for this topic! The book has many more tips in it.
In a few days, I will chose some tidbits to share from his "Food Secrets" section which, so far, is very interesting!
I picked out a few to share with you from the "Astonishing Kitchen Remedies" section.
Arthritis: eat one serving of Jello every day. The amino acids are supposed to stimulate production of collagen and provide nutritional support for cartilage.
Bad Breath: Dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda with one teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup of water. Rinse your mouth and/or gargle with the solution.
Colds and Flu: Mix 10 - 20 drops Tabasco Pepper Sauce in one cup of Tomato Juice. Drink several glasses of the spicy tonic daily. It should help to clear the nose, sinuses, and lungs. You can also mix the Tabasco into a glass of water and gargle with it to help clear the respiratory tract.
Homemade Cough Syrup: Mix 4 tablespoons of ReaLemon lemon juice, 1 cup Honey, and 1/2 cup of olive oil in a saucepan. Warm over low heat for five minutes. Stir vigorously for several minutes until the mix becomes syrupy. Take one teaspoon of the formula every 2 hours. Store in an airtight container.
Constipation: Mix 2 tablespoons of ReaLemon juice with 1 cup of warm water. Drink it before you have breakfast. The combination will stimulate the intestines.
Ice Pack: Prepare Jello according to the instructions on the box and let it cool enough to pour it into a Ziploc bag. Put the bag in the freezer after you seal it shut. It should become a flexible, inexpensive, ice pack that will conform to your body. When you're done with it, just put it back in the freezer.
Indigestion: According to the box, drinking one-half of a teaspoon of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda dissolved in 1/2 glass of water neutralizes stomach acid.
Insect bites: To relieve itching and swelling from an insect bite, us a cotton ball to rub ReaLemon juice on the bug bite. It may sting a little at first. It works as both an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. White vinegar on a cotton ball will relieve an itch from a bug bite almost instantly, also.
Insomnia: Take one teaspoon of Honey before bedtime. Honey acts as a sedative to the nervous system. Within an hour you should be asleep.
Shaving: Apply Cool Whip to wet skin as a shaving cream. The coconut and palm kernel oils in the Cool Whip moisturize the skin for a close shave and leaves your skin soft and smooth.
Okay, that's it for this topic! The book has many more tips in it.
In a few days, I will chose some tidbits to share from his "Food Secrets" section which, so far, is very interesting!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Coffee Grounds, Mouthwash, and Cardboard Tubes
Coffee Grounds
1. Sprinkle used grounds around the acid loving plants in your garden, like roses and azaleas. Coffee adds nutrients to the soil and the caffeine encourages roots to spread.
2. Put fresh coffee grounds in a bowl and place in the back of your fridge and freezer. The grounds will absorb bad food odors.
3. Pour used coffee grounds around the area where ants seem to be living. Apparently they are not coffee drinkers and will leave the area. (NOTE: I tried this at my Mom's place and mostly it seemed to wake up those nasty little sugar ants! However, it may ultimately get rid of them. May 9, 2010 - We added more coffee grounds to the area and it seems to have gotten rid of those little ants.)
4. To clean your disposal, pour used grounds down the disposal and turn on the hot water, then turn on the disposal. The grounds will destroy the bacteria lingering in the pipes and eliminate odors.
Alcohol-based Mouthwash
1. Fill a spray bottle with one part mouthwash to three parts water. Spray directly on your plants leaves and into the soil. The mouthwash protects the plants from fungi.
2. Pour 1/4 cup mouthwash into the toilet bowl and let sit for 30 min. The alcohol will make it sparkle while the antiseptic ingredients will kill germs.
3. After shampooing, pour a capful of mouthwash onto your scalp, leave it on for 5 min, then rinse and condition. The mouthwash kills the fungus that causes dandruff.
Cardboard Tubes
1. Bracelet stand. Cover a tube with a pretty wrapping paper and stand it on your dresser. Pile on the bracelets.
2. Place a few paper-towel tubes inside tall boots to keep them standing tall to keep their shape.
3. To prevent nylons/pantyhose from snagging in your dresser, just roll them up and stuff them into toilet paper tubes before putting in your drawer.
4. To extend your vauum's reach, tape a gift wrap tube to the end of your vacuum's hose and flatten the tube slightly to fit behind the furniture or to reach up to the ceiling corners.
1. Sprinkle used grounds around the acid loving plants in your garden, like roses and azaleas. Coffee adds nutrients to the soil and the caffeine encourages roots to spread.
2. Put fresh coffee grounds in a bowl and place in the back of your fridge and freezer. The grounds will absorb bad food odors.
3. Pour used coffee grounds around the area where ants seem to be living. Apparently they are not coffee drinkers and will leave the area. (NOTE: I tried this at my Mom's place and mostly it seemed to wake up those nasty little sugar ants! However, it may ultimately get rid of them. May 9, 2010 - We added more coffee grounds to the area and it seems to have gotten rid of those little ants.)
4. To clean your disposal, pour used grounds down the disposal and turn on the hot water, then turn on the disposal. The grounds will destroy the bacteria lingering in the pipes and eliminate odors.
Alcohol-based Mouthwash
1. Fill a spray bottle with one part mouthwash to three parts water. Spray directly on your plants leaves and into the soil. The mouthwash protects the plants from fungi.
2. Pour 1/4 cup mouthwash into the toilet bowl and let sit for 30 min. The alcohol will make it sparkle while the antiseptic ingredients will kill germs.
3. After shampooing, pour a capful of mouthwash onto your scalp, leave it on for 5 min, then rinse and condition. The mouthwash kills the fungus that causes dandruff.
Cardboard Tubes
1. Bracelet stand. Cover a tube with a pretty wrapping paper and stand it on your dresser. Pile on the bracelets.
2. Place a few paper-towel tubes inside tall boots to keep them standing tall to keep their shape.
3. To prevent nylons/pantyhose from snagging in your dresser, just roll them up and stuff them into toilet paper tubes before putting in your drawer.
4. To extend your vauum's reach, tape a gift wrap tube to the end of your vacuum's hose and flatten the tube slightly to fit behind the furniture or to reach up to the ceiling corners.
Cleaning cheaper
Lemons
1. Sanitize wood chopping boards with use lemon juice. The citric acid in the juice is a powerful antibacterial that can kill even e. Coli on contact!
2. Run a solution of one part water to one part lemon juice through your coffee machine to remove hard water and mineral deposits that can clog it up. Then repeat using just water.
3. Put half a lemon or a few drops of lemon juice in a bowl of water and cook on high in your microwave for 3 minutes. It will rid your microwave of odors and the steam will loosen any food particles that are stuck inside so you can easily wipe it clean.
White Vinegar
1. In your shower, use a sponge or in a spray bottle. The Acetic acid that gives vinegar its sour taste and pungent odor also dissolves mineral deposits, hard water stains, and soap scum. It also kills 99% of surface bacteria and 82% of mold.
2. If Fido has an "accident" on the carpet, mix up one part vinegar and two parts cold water into a spray bottle. Shake well and spray the stain until it's saturated. Let soak for a minute or two then blot up with a rag.
3. A couple times a year, pour a few cups of white vinegar into your washing machine and turn it on to cycle, as if you were washing clothes. The vinegar will break down soap residue, deposits, and mildew leaving your machine with a longer life span and more cleaning power.
Baking Soda
1. Sprinkle burned on foods with baking soda and add enough water to moisten and let sit for several hours. Then you can wipe it clean without any elbow grease.
2. Mix up a paste of baking soda and a dab of dishwashing liquid to use in removing bathtub rings. It will keep the porcelain sparkling without causing any damage.
3. Place generous amounts of baking soda on the bottom of your oven and spray it with some water. Let it sit overnight and wipe it clean in the morning with no effort.
Club Soda
1. Pour club soda on clothes, carpets or couches to remove stubborn stains, including red wine, grease and chocolate. Let it set in for 15 - 30 minutes, then blot the stain with a clean cloth or sponge.
2. Jewelry looking dull? Place your precious gem jewelry in a glass of club soda and let it sit overnight. The soda will remove debris, loosen the oils, and won't damge the gems. Rinse well before using.
3. Use it to remove rust and rust stains. Just pour the club soda on the spot and let sit 15 minutes, wipe away with a cloth. You can also spritz it on rusty nuts and bolts to get them moving again or soak rusty tools in a bowl of club soda overnight. (NOTE: It doesn't say this, but, the last time I used a home remedy to remove rust from tools, it did work, but it was necessary to immediately give the tools a rub down in oil or the rust came back as soon as it dried. I would guess the same would hold true for this remedy).
4. Soak your stainless steel utensils in club soda and rub away any streaks with a cloth, then rinse with clean water to restore the shine.
Fabric Softener Sheet
1. To keep faux flowers looking fresh, wipe the petals and eaves with a clean, used fabric softener sheet. The antistatic qualities of the sheet will keep the flowers from attracting dust as quickly.
2. Wipe down dusty TV screens with a used sheet to remove the dust and keep it from attracting more dust as quickly.
1. Sanitize wood chopping boards with use lemon juice. The citric acid in the juice is a powerful antibacterial that can kill even e. Coli on contact!
2. Run a solution of one part water to one part lemon juice through your coffee machine to remove hard water and mineral deposits that can clog it up. Then repeat using just water.
3. Put half a lemon or a few drops of lemon juice in a bowl of water and cook on high in your microwave for 3 minutes. It will rid your microwave of odors and the steam will loosen any food particles that are stuck inside so you can easily wipe it clean.
White Vinegar
1. In your shower, use a sponge or in a spray bottle. The Acetic acid that gives vinegar its sour taste and pungent odor also dissolves mineral deposits, hard water stains, and soap scum. It also kills 99% of surface bacteria and 82% of mold.
2. If Fido has an "accident" on the carpet, mix up one part vinegar and two parts cold water into a spray bottle. Shake well and spray the stain until it's saturated. Let soak for a minute or two then blot up with a rag.
3. A couple times a year, pour a few cups of white vinegar into your washing machine and turn it on to cycle, as if you were washing clothes. The vinegar will break down soap residue, deposits, and mildew leaving your machine with a longer life span and more cleaning power.
Baking Soda
1. Sprinkle burned on foods with baking soda and add enough water to moisten and let sit for several hours. Then you can wipe it clean without any elbow grease.
2. Mix up a paste of baking soda and a dab of dishwashing liquid to use in removing bathtub rings. It will keep the porcelain sparkling without causing any damage.
3. Place generous amounts of baking soda on the bottom of your oven and spray it with some water. Let it sit overnight and wipe it clean in the morning with no effort.
Club Soda
1. Pour club soda on clothes, carpets or couches to remove stubborn stains, including red wine, grease and chocolate. Let it set in for 15 - 30 minutes, then blot the stain with a clean cloth or sponge.
2. Jewelry looking dull? Place your precious gem jewelry in a glass of club soda and let it sit overnight. The soda will remove debris, loosen the oils, and won't damge the gems. Rinse well before using.
3. Use it to remove rust and rust stains. Just pour the club soda on the spot and let sit 15 minutes, wipe away with a cloth. You can also spritz it on rusty nuts and bolts to get them moving again or soak rusty tools in a bowl of club soda overnight. (NOTE: It doesn't say this, but, the last time I used a home remedy to remove rust from tools, it did work, but it was necessary to immediately give the tools a rub down in oil or the rust came back as soon as it dried. I would guess the same would hold true for this remedy).
4. Soak your stainless steel utensils in club soda and rub away any streaks with a cloth, then rinse with clean water to restore the shine.
Fabric Softener Sheet
1. To keep faux flowers looking fresh, wipe the petals and eaves with a clean, used fabric softener sheet. The antistatic qualities of the sheet will keep the flowers from attracting dust as quickly.
2. Wipe down dusty TV screens with a used sheet to remove the dust and keep it from attracting more dust as quickly.
Nine Uses for a Banana
1. To get a scrape to heal faster, after disinfecting the wound with disinfectant, rub the wound with the white side of a banana peel for one minute. The peel is packed with Vitamins B6 and C, antioxidants that stimulate the healing process.
2. To whiten your teeth without the expense of commercial tooth-whitening kits, massage your teeth with the inside of a banana peel, rubbing in a circular motion for 2 minutes. Repeat once a day for two weeks. The texture of the peel gently removes yellowing tartar and plaque while infusing the enamel with whitening minerals such as potassium, calcium, and vitamin D.
3. Give indoor plants a great shine by stroking each leaf with the white part of a banana peel. The texure and oils of hte inner skin serve as a mild abrasive and polish in addition to feeding the plant nutrients from the peel.
4. When you see the signs of a wart developing, cut a dime-size piece of banana peel and place it white side down on the wart. Secure with a bandaid. Leave on overnight and remove it in the morning. Reapply nightly for two weeks or until the wart disappears. The pulp on the inside of the peel contains mucilage, which kills warts without chemicals.
5. To relieve the itchy annoyance of a mosquito bite, rub the inside of a banana peel against the inflamed area. The polysaccharides seep down into the skin cells and stops the irritation almost immediately.
6. If you've managed to get some ink on your skin that won't wash off with soap and water, rub the white side of a banana peel on the area and the ink should disappear. The natural oils in the peel attract the oils in the ink, weakening the bonds of the pigment.
7. Got a scratched CD? Well, rub the white side of a banana peel in a circular motion for 30 seconds. Then wipe with a lint free cloth sprayed with glass cleaner to remove any leftover film. The CD should play fine again. (NOTE: I gave this a try and, amazingly, it worked!)
8. To get rid of aphids and ants in your garden, cut up 2 or 3 banana peels, place on a cookie sheet and bake at 200 deg for 15 minutes or until they shrivel. Then dig a 1" deep hole in the ground at the base of the plant and place the dried pieces in the soil. The high concentration of potassiumin the banana skin will make the aphids leave and the buried bits are lethal to ants.
9. To revamp leather that is scratch and scuffed, rub the white side of a banana peel on the scratch/scuff, then buff with a clean cloth. The potassium (a key ingredient in leather polish) will be absorbed into the damaged leather and diminish the marks.
2. To whiten your teeth without the expense of commercial tooth-whitening kits, massage your teeth with the inside of a banana peel, rubbing in a circular motion for 2 minutes. Repeat once a day for two weeks. The texture of the peel gently removes yellowing tartar and plaque while infusing the enamel with whitening minerals such as potassium, calcium, and vitamin D.
3. Give indoor plants a great shine by stroking each leaf with the white part of a banana peel. The texure and oils of hte inner skin serve as a mild abrasive and polish in addition to feeding the plant nutrients from the peel.
4. When you see the signs of a wart developing, cut a dime-size piece of banana peel and place it white side down on the wart. Secure with a bandaid. Leave on overnight and remove it in the morning. Reapply nightly for two weeks or until the wart disappears. The pulp on the inside of the peel contains mucilage, which kills warts without chemicals.
5. To relieve the itchy annoyance of a mosquito bite, rub the inside of a banana peel against the inflamed area. The polysaccharides seep down into the skin cells and stops the irritation almost immediately.
6. If you've managed to get some ink on your skin that won't wash off with soap and water, rub the white side of a banana peel on the area and the ink should disappear. The natural oils in the peel attract the oils in the ink, weakening the bonds of the pigment.
7. Got a scratched CD? Well, rub the white side of a banana peel in a circular motion for 30 seconds. Then wipe with a lint free cloth sprayed with glass cleaner to remove any leftover film. The CD should play fine again. (NOTE: I gave this a try and, amazingly, it worked!)
8. To get rid of aphids and ants in your garden, cut up 2 or 3 banana peels, place on a cookie sheet and bake at 200 deg for 15 minutes or until they shrivel. Then dig a 1" deep hole in the ground at the base of the plant and place the dried pieces in the soil. The high concentration of potassiumin the banana skin will make the aphids leave and the buried bits are lethal to ants.
9. To revamp leather that is scratch and scuffed, rub the white side of a banana peel on the scratch/scuff, then buff with a clean cloth. The potassium (a key ingredient in leather polish) will be absorbed into the damaged leather and diminish the marks.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Uses for Coffee Filters
Coffee filters can be used for more than just filtering the coffee grounds of your morning coffee and they are pretty inexpensive to buy.
1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave.
2. Clean windows, mirros, and chrome - coffee filters are lint-free so they're good for cleaning
3. Protect china by placing a filter between each plate on the stack
4. If you break the cork while opening your bottle of wine, and the cork gets into the bottle, use a filter to filter out the cork when pouring it.
5. Protect a cast iron skillet by placing a coffee filter in it to absorb moisture and prevent rust
6. Use it to apply shoe polish
7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain the oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.
8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients into the filter and place on the scale. The scale stays clean
9. Coffee filters make convenient wraps for messy foods like a taco, or just to hold a sandwich.
10.Stop soil from leaking out of a plant pot by lining the pot bottom with a filter.
11.Poke one or two holes in the filter to accomodate using as a drip catcher for popcicles.
12. Use strips of coffee filter, instead of expensive store-bought strips to wax eyebrows.
13. Use on a plate to soak up grease from your fried bacon, french fries or chicken fingers while they are draining on them.
14. Keep some in the bathroom for those nasty "razor nicks"
15. Use a filter as an easy to tear backing for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.
16. Put baking soda in a coffee filter and insert ito shoes or a closet ot absorb or prevent odors.
17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put in soups and stews.
18. Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car.
19. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and to clean up small counter spills
20. Can be used to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting fruit and veggies. Saves on having to wash all those extra bowls.
21. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage
22. Out of cotton balls? Use the filters to remove fingernail polish.
23. Use filters to sprout seeds! Dampen the filter, place the seeds inside, fold it and place in a plastic baggie until they sprout.
24. If you're into pressed flowers.... place the flower between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters in the phone book, or other large book, the filters will act as blotting paper.
25. Use them as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, nuts, etc, when you want a snack.
1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave.
2. Clean windows, mirros, and chrome - coffee filters are lint-free so they're good for cleaning
3. Protect china by placing a filter between each plate on the stack
4. If you break the cork while opening your bottle of wine, and the cork gets into the bottle, use a filter to filter out the cork when pouring it.
5. Protect a cast iron skillet by placing a coffee filter in it to absorb moisture and prevent rust
6. Use it to apply shoe polish
7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain the oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.
8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients into the filter and place on the scale. The scale stays clean
9. Coffee filters make convenient wraps for messy foods like a taco, or just to hold a sandwich.
10.Stop soil from leaking out of a plant pot by lining the pot bottom with a filter.
11.Poke one or two holes in the filter to accomodate using as a drip catcher for popcicles.
12. Use strips of coffee filter, instead of expensive store-bought strips to wax eyebrows.
13. Use on a plate to soak up grease from your fried bacon, french fries or chicken fingers while they are draining on them.
14. Keep some in the bathroom for those nasty "razor nicks"
15. Use a filter as an easy to tear backing for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.
16. Put baking soda in a coffee filter and insert ito shoes or a closet ot absorb or prevent odors.
17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put in soups and stews.
18. Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car.
19. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and to clean up small counter spills
20. Can be used to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting fruit and veggies. Saves on having to wash all those extra bowls.
21. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage
22. Out of cotton balls? Use the filters to remove fingernail polish.
23. Use filters to sprout seeds! Dampen the filter, place the seeds inside, fold it and place in a plastic baggie until they sprout.
24. If you're into pressed flowers.... place the flower between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters in the phone book, or other large book, the filters will act as blotting paper.
25. Use them as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, nuts, etc, when you want a snack.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Miscellaneous Helpful Hints
I took this information from several magazines so I could put it all in one spot.... here! LOL
1. If your lipstick breaks in half, use your hair dryer to heat the intact base for about 20 seconds and stick the broken off piece back on. Stick it in the freezer for about a half hour and it's good to go!
2. If your china plate has a crack in it, place it in a pan, cover with milk and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 45 minutes. The milk will fill in the crack. For very fragile or valuable China, see an expert.
3. If you drop your powder compact or eye shadow and it breaks the powder into several hundred pieces, no reason to throw it away. Just add a few drops of rubbing alcohol and smooth the mixture over with a butter knife and let it dry. The powders will be good as new.
4. To mend a vase that has a chip or small crack in it, just grab a crayon of the same color and use your blow dryer to melt the crayon into the crack. Let it cool, scrape off the excess and your vase should be good as new.
5. Got a leak in your garden hose? Chew a piece of gum and then fit it right on the hole. Let it harden overnight and you can use the hose the next day. Gum shapes itself into the hold to fit perfectly and is extremely durable.
6. Sharpen dull scissors by cutting through 3 layers of aluminum foil a few times. The foil removes rust and buildup as well as smoothing any rough edges. For a dull knife, roll up a ball of foil and use the knife to cut through it a few times, it will sharpen the blade.
7. If you drop your cell phone in a puddle, take out the battery and SIM card and leave the phone in a bowl of dry rice for 24 hours, the rice will draw out any excess water. If it was in salt water, rinse first to stop the salt from causing corrosion. Gently dry off the battery and SIM card when you take them out.
8. Bugs can leave sticky spots on your car that damage the finish, so you should remove them asap. Make a watery paste of baking soda and water and mix until the soda dissolves. Wipe it on the tained areas with a soft cloth, rinse, and dry with a clean soft cloth.
9. Damp glasses or hot cups of coffee can leave white rings on tabletops. To get rid of them, mix mayonnaise with a non-gel toothpaste and gently rub the spot. Wipe off, and polish with wax.
10. Brighten your porcelain by soaking the item in a 1/2 table denture cleaner and 1 qt of water.
11. Websites for Crafters:
Scrapbooking (Scrapbooking-Warehouse.com)
Knitting (knitpicks.come)
Quilting (Quilting-Warehouse.com)
Painters (FactoryDirectCraft.com)
Jewelry Making (HouseofGems.com)
1. If your lipstick breaks in half, use your hair dryer to heat the intact base for about 20 seconds and stick the broken off piece back on. Stick it in the freezer for about a half hour and it's good to go!
2. If your china plate has a crack in it, place it in a pan, cover with milk and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 45 minutes. The milk will fill in the crack. For very fragile or valuable China, see an expert.
3. If you drop your powder compact or eye shadow and it breaks the powder into several hundred pieces, no reason to throw it away. Just add a few drops of rubbing alcohol and smooth the mixture over with a butter knife and let it dry. The powders will be good as new.
4. To mend a vase that has a chip or small crack in it, just grab a crayon of the same color and use your blow dryer to melt the crayon into the crack. Let it cool, scrape off the excess and your vase should be good as new.
5. Got a leak in your garden hose? Chew a piece of gum and then fit it right on the hole. Let it harden overnight and you can use the hose the next day. Gum shapes itself into the hold to fit perfectly and is extremely durable.
6. Sharpen dull scissors by cutting through 3 layers of aluminum foil a few times. The foil removes rust and buildup as well as smoothing any rough edges. For a dull knife, roll up a ball of foil and use the knife to cut through it a few times, it will sharpen the blade.
7. If you drop your cell phone in a puddle, take out the battery and SIM card and leave the phone in a bowl of dry rice for 24 hours, the rice will draw out any excess water. If it was in salt water, rinse first to stop the salt from causing corrosion. Gently dry off the battery and SIM card when you take them out.
8. Bugs can leave sticky spots on your car that damage the finish, so you should remove them asap. Make a watery paste of baking soda and water and mix until the soda dissolves. Wipe it on the tained areas with a soft cloth, rinse, and dry with a clean soft cloth.
9. Damp glasses or hot cups of coffee can leave white rings on tabletops. To get rid of them, mix mayonnaise with a non-gel toothpaste and gently rub the spot. Wipe off, and polish with wax.
10. Brighten your porcelain by soaking the item in a 1/2 table denture cleaner and 1 qt of water.
11. Websites for Crafters:
Scrapbooking (Scrapbooking-Warehouse.com)
Knitting (knitpicks.come)
Quilting (Quilting-Warehouse.com)
Painters (FactoryDirectCraft.com)
Jewelry Making (HouseofGems.com)
Monday, November 10, 2008
Sugar, Mineral Oil and Hydrogen Peroxide uses
More helpful tips that I read about and wanted to pass on:
If you can't get the coals burning for your BBQ, toss a few spoonfuls of white table sugar onto the coals and try lighting them again! When exposed to high temperatures, sugar decomposes quickly and forms hydroxymethylfurfural, a chemical that ignites easily.
When you plant tomatoes, protect your plants from parasitic damage by putting 1 tablespoon full of white table sugar into the hole and plant your plant on top of it! The sugar kills the root-eating microorganisms by absorbing the moisture that the organisms need to multiply.
To keep your cookies moist and chewy, sprinkle the bottom of the cookie jar with a thin layer of sugar and then put the cookies in. The sugar will lock in moisture, preserving your cookies. (I've done this and it does work!)
To make corn on the cob sweet, add a pinch of sugar to the boiling water and cook the corn as you normally would. . The sucrose (sugar) keeps the natural sugars in the kernels by stopping them from escaping during the boiling process. (I do this and it does taste sweeter).
When your teenager gets the dreaded pimple, mix up 1 teaspoon of sugar and a few drops of water to make a paste. Use a cotton swab and put the paste on the pimple over night. The sucrose inhibits the growth of bacteria to help reduce the swelling by morning!
If you burn your tongue on some hot coffee (for instance), sprinkle some sugar on your tongue and hold your tongue against the roof of your mouth. The melting crystals stimulate the brain to release endorphins that can alleviate the pain and induce a sense of well being.
Combine 1/2 cup of sugar, 2 cups of milk, and 2 oz of ground pepper in a small saucepan and heat. Let is simmer for 10 minute then pour the mixture into several small shallow bowls. Place the bowls throughout your yard, far away from you. The heating of the ingredients causes the sugar to melt, making it very sticky. Milk and pepper enhance the aroma of the caramelized sweetener, attracting flies and trapping them instantly in the glue like mixture.
Make your cut roses bloom faster and stay longer with sugar. For each quart of warm water, add 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. When the sugar has dissolved and the water is cold, put your roses in. The sugar provides the nutrients the buds need to bloom and the vinegar kills bacteria to keep the flowers fresh longer!
To lighten age spots naturally, add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to a bowl filled with the juice of half a lemon. Using a cottonball, apply to the age spots, leave on a couple minutes, then rinse off. The spots will gently start fading.
To restore gloss to the leaves of houseplants, combine one part mineral oil to two parts water in a spray bottle. Once a month, use to mist the plants, then wipe the leaves with a soft cloth.
Make your own furniture polish by combining 1 cup of mineral oil and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray it on a clean dry cloth to polish up your furniture. The lemon juice cuts through grime and the oil lubricates wood and brings out its natural shine. (I've done this and it looks very nice!)
To preserve a wooden cutting board, wash and dry the board. Pour a small amount of mineral oil onto a clean cloth and use it to rub the wood's surface. Let sit for 2 hours and wipe off any excess oil. Do this every couple of months. The oil barrier will keep odors from getting absorbed into the wood and also prevent premature drying and cracks where bacteria can thrive.
Fill a large bowl with cold water and add 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Soak your fruits and vegetables for about 1 minute, then rinse with running water. The hydrogen peroxide kills E. coli and other bacteria by creating an oxygen rich environment that the organisms can't survive in.
If your plants are getting root rot and turning the once lush greenery yellow, fill a spray bottle with 1 cup of water and 1 oz of hydrogen peroxide. Use the solution to water plants as usual. The excess can be stored, but be sure it is in an opaque bottle. The antimicrobial agents acts as an oxygen supplement, releasing extra oxygen to aerate the soil and strengthen the plants.
Whiten stains between teeth by pouring a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide in a shallow bowl and dip regular dental gloss in it. Floss as usual. The hydrogen peroxide releases oxygen to break down the stain and whiten discoloration without damage to the enamel.
If your pet gets sprayed by a skunk and you don't have any tomato juice handy to wash him down, try using 1 qt hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and 2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap with a gallon of water. Wearing rubber gloves, apply the mixture to your pets fur using a wash cloth. Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinise with water. Keep the mixture out of your pets' eyes. Do not store leftover liquid in a covered container.
If you can't get the coals burning for your BBQ, toss a few spoonfuls of white table sugar onto the coals and try lighting them again! When exposed to high temperatures, sugar decomposes quickly and forms hydroxymethylfurfural, a chemical that ignites easily.
When you plant tomatoes, protect your plants from parasitic damage by putting 1 tablespoon full of white table sugar into the hole and plant your plant on top of it! The sugar kills the root-eating microorganisms by absorbing the moisture that the organisms need to multiply.
To keep your cookies moist and chewy, sprinkle the bottom of the cookie jar with a thin layer of sugar and then put the cookies in. The sugar will lock in moisture, preserving your cookies. (I've done this and it does work!)
To make corn on the cob sweet, add a pinch of sugar to the boiling water and cook the corn as you normally would. . The sucrose (sugar) keeps the natural sugars in the kernels by stopping them from escaping during the boiling process. (I do this and it does taste sweeter).
When your teenager gets the dreaded pimple, mix up 1 teaspoon of sugar and a few drops of water to make a paste. Use a cotton swab and put the paste on the pimple over night. The sucrose inhibits the growth of bacteria to help reduce the swelling by morning!
If you burn your tongue on some hot coffee (for instance), sprinkle some sugar on your tongue and hold your tongue against the roof of your mouth. The melting crystals stimulate the brain to release endorphins that can alleviate the pain and induce a sense of well being.
Combine 1/2 cup of sugar, 2 cups of milk, and 2 oz of ground pepper in a small saucepan and heat. Let is simmer for 10 minute then pour the mixture into several small shallow bowls. Place the bowls throughout your yard, far away from you. The heating of the ingredients causes the sugar to melt, making it very sticky. Milk and pepper enhance the aroma of the caramelized sweetener, attracting flies and trapping them instantly in the glue like mixture.
Make your cut roses bloom faster and stay longer with sugar. For each quart of warm water, add 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. When the sugar has dissolved and the water is cold, put your roses in. The sugar provides the nutrients the buds need to bloom and the vinegar kills bacteria to keep the flowers fresh longer!
To lighten age spots naturally, add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to a bowl filled with the juice of half a lemon. Using a cottonball, apply to the age spots, leave on a couple minutes, then rinse off. The spots will gently start fading.
To restore gloss to the leaves of houseplants, combine one part mineral oil to two parts water in a spray bottle. Once a month, use to mist the plants, then wipe the leaves with a soft cloth.
Make your own furniture polish by combining 1 cup of mineral oil and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray it on a clean dry cloth to polish up your furniture. The lemon juice cuts through grime and the oil lubricates wood and brings out its natural shine. (I've done this and it looks very nice!)
To preserve a wooden cutting board, wash and dry the board. Pour a small amount of mineral oil onto a clean cloth and use it to rub the wood's surface. Let sit for 2 hours and wipe off any excess oil. Do this every couple of months. The oil barrier will keep odors from getting absorbed into the wood and also prevent premature drying and cracks where bacteria can thrive.
Fill a large bowl with cold water and add 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Soak your fruits and vegetables for about 1 minute, then rinse with running water. The hydrogen peroxide kills E. coli and other bacteria by creating an oxygen rich environment that the organisms can't survive in.
If your plants are getting root rot and turning the once lush greenery yellow, fill a spray bottle with 1 cup of water and 1 oz of hydrogen peroxide. Use the solution to water plants as usual. The excess can be stored, but be sure it is in an opaque bottle. The antimicrobial agents acts as an oxygen supplement, releasing extra oxygen to aerate the soil and strengthen the plants.
Whiten stains between teeth by pouring a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide in a shallow bowl and dip regular dental gloss in it. Floss as usual. The hydrogen peroxide releases oxygen to break down the stain and whiten discoloration without damage to the enamel.
If your pet gets sprayed by a skunk and you don't have any tomato juice handy to wash him down, try using 1 qt hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and 2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap with a gallon of water. Wearing rubber gloves, apply the mixture to your pets fur using a wash cloth. Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinise with water. Keep the mixture out of your pets' eyes. Do not store leftover liquid in a covered container.
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