Gwen’s Healing Garden

The #1 Web Site Gardening For The Soil Gardening For The Soul

Did You Know | Environmentally Friendly Gardening Products | Non-toxic Cleaning Products | Indoor Gardening With Foliage Plants

Subscribe to the FREE monthly GHG Newsletter and receive free the E-book A Book Of Quotes: Subscribe here

Hints & Tips

Hints & Tips contains tidbits of information submitted by readers or that I have collected through the years and found useful. Hints and tips have been published in previous newsletters. Add your hints/tips and Win A Book!!!

To search for a specific topic, type the key word eg. rust into the Google Search box. Click on Search and Google will search this website and bring up relevant articles.

Win A Book!!!

Do you have a question, hint/tip, recipe, or story to share about gardening for the soil or gardening for the soul? For every question, hint/tip, recipe, or story submitted and published in Gwen’s Healing Garden Newsletter, you will receive the book: The Healing Garden: A Place Of Peace. Contact www.gwenshealinggarden.ca/Contact_Form.htm or fax (306) 586-6898 to enter. Please include your name, address, country, postal/zip code, phone number, and e-mail address. Winners will be contacted by e-mail.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

March 2010

(submitted by Carol Turner)

Ø Wasp Spray
A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high-risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead. The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection. Thought this was interesting and might be of use. On the heels of a break in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self-defense experts have a tip that could save your life.
Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania Southview High School. For decades, he's suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed. Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them."
Glinka considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, Glinka says "spray the culprit in the eyes." It's a tip he's given to students for decades.

It's also one he wants everyone to hear. If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the spray. "That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out." Maybe even save a life.

Please share this with all the people in your life.

Ø Six helpful hints for your car in the winter

1. Keep your headlights clear with car wax.

Just wipe ordinary car wax on your headlights. It contains special water repellents that will prevent that messy mixture from accumulating on your lights - lasts 6 weeks.

2. Squeak-proof your wipers with rubbing alcohol. Wipe the wipers with a cloth saturated with rubbing alcohol or ammonia. This one trick can make badly streaking & squeaking wipers change to near perfect silence & clarity.

3. Ice-proof your windows with vinegar.

Frost on its way? Just fill a spray bottle with three parts vinegar to one part water & spritz it on all your windows at night. In the morning, they'll be clear of icy mess. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which raises the melting point of water---preventing water from freezing.

4. Prevent car doors from freezing shut with cooking spray.

Spritz cooking oil on the rubber seals around car doors & rub it in with a paper towel. The cooking spray prevents water from melting into the rubber.

5. Fog-proof your windshield with shaving cream.

Spray some shaving cream on the inside of your windshield & wipe it off with paper towels. Shaving cream has many of the same ingredients found in commercial defoggers.

6. De-ice your lock in seconds with hand sanitizer.

Just put some hand sanitizer gel on the key & the lock & the problem is solved!

February 2010

Ø To remove permanent marker ink on appliances or counter tops, wipe with a paper towel dampened with rubbing alcohol.

Ø You can make your candles last longer by freezing them for several hours before burning them.

Ø To get rid of pet odor or the musty smell in your home, simmer 1/2 cup (125 mL) white vinegar and 4 cups (1 L) water on your stove until gone.

Ø To add a soothing smell to the air in your home, simmer 1 tablespoon (15 mL) vanilla extract in 4 cups (1 L) water.

Ø To remove bubble gum or any type of gum from hair (child's head, on arm, leg, etc.), simply spread peanut butter on the area and wash. It comes out like magic because of the oil.

Ø To remove candle wax from wood, soften the wax with a hair dryer. Remove wax with a paper towel and wash with a solution of vinegar and water.

Ø When watering your plants, use room temperature water.

January 2010

Ø If your recipe calls for herbs, marinate them in a tablespoon or two of olive oil for 30 minutes before adding to the stew or sauce to bring out the full aroma of the herbs.

Ø When you harvest parsley from your herb garden, wash and place in a baggie that is sealed tight. When parsley is cool and sealed tight you can keep it for a few weeks until you get a chance to use it in your kitchen.

Ø If you like to use fresh ginger, take the ginger root when you bring it home from the store, cut off what you need for the moment, and then wrap the rest in wax paper and put in a sealed baggie in the freezer. Every time you want a bit of fresh ginger just take it out and clip a little off and put the rest back. You will find that the frozen ginger can be easily grated. Freezing stops all of those stringy and lumpy bits in whatever you are cooking, without compromising the flavour.

Ø To clean copper in your home, rub toothpaste on the copper areas, and buff clean with a soft cloth.

Ø If you like to put cookies in the cookie jar but hate how they get stale so fast, add a few pieces of crumpled up tissue paper to the bottom of the cookie jar and your cookies will stay fresher longer.

Ø If you use brown sugar only on special occasions you can put it in a container and put it in the freezer or in the fridge to keep it fresher for many more months than in the cupboard.

Ø Place a slice of apple in hardened brown sugar to soften it back up so you can measure it easily and use it often.

December 2009

Ø Save breadcrumbs in a bag in the freezer. When you have enough, toss with oil and seasoning. Toast until golden brown. Use in place of Parmesan cheese or use in stuffing, casseroles or bread pudding (without the oil and seasonings).

Ø Recycle leftover roast beef in Beef Stroganoff, Fajitas, Pepper Steak, Pita Sandwiches, Stir Fry, Shepard’s Pie, Swiss Steak, or Roast Beef Sandwiches - with lettuce and mayonnaise.

Ø When you have purchased too many oranges and you want to use them before they spoil, make juice out of the oranges and then use the peels for Candied Orange Peels.

Ø Potato Pancakes can be made with leftover mashed potatoes. Here is one recipe you can use.
2 cups (500 mL) leftover mashed potatoes (adjust to what you have on hand)
2 tbsp. (30 mL) flour
1 egg
olive oil

Mix first 3 ingredients. Make into patties and fry in olive oil until golden brown on each side. Serve warm with sour cream and applesauce.

Ø Substitute shredded zucchini for half of the ground beef in Mexican recipes, spaghetti sauces, meat loaves or meatballs.

Ø Leftover mashed potatoes can be used to thicken soups and stews.

Ø Use cereal crumbs for topping on muffins, yoghurt, pudding, oatmeal, and fresh fruit or use 2 cups (500 mL) with 1/2 cup (125 mL) melted butter and your favorite herb. Broil on a flat pan until browned. Use on top of hot vegetables, macaroni and cheese or casseroles. Store unused portion in an airtight jar.

November 2009

Ø Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods such as tacos.

Ø Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

Ø Pam no-stick cooking spray will lubricate a sticking bicycle chain.

Ø Peanut butter will remove ink from the face of dolls.

Ø Listerine mouthwash will clean dirty grout.

Ø Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.

Ø To tie dye a T-shirt, mix a solution of Kool Aid in a container, tie a rubber band around a section of the T-shirt and soak.

October 2009

Ø Cake Mixes and Toxins (submitted by Martha Pass)

WARNING-----Cake Mixes and Toxins **PLEASE READ** Pass this on to ALL in your address book. You never know whose life you may save by doing so. For those of you at work, PLEASE remember to check your cupboards when you get home tonight!!!
This is confirmed on Snopes http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/pancake.asp

A student at HBHS (high school) had pancakes this week and it almost became fatal. His Mom (registered nurse) made him pancakes, dropped him off at school and headed to play tennis. She never takes her cell phone on the court but did this time and her son called to say he was having trouble breathing. She told him to go to the nurse immediately and proceeded to call the school and alert the nurse. The nurse called the paramedics and they were there in 3 minutes and worked on the boy all the way to the hospital. He came so close to dying. Evidently this is more common then I ever knew. Check the expiration dates on packages like pancakes and cake mixes that have yeast which over time develop spores. Apparently, the mold that forms in old mixes can be toxic! Throw away ALL OUTDATED pancake mix, brownie mixes, Bisquick, cake & cookie mixes, etc. you have in your home. P.S. Tell this to your children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces and anyone else who keeps these types of mixes in the cupboard.

Ø To remove labels off glassware etc. rub with peanut butter.

Ø Colgate toothpaste will remove crayon on the wall. Apply toothpaste over crayon marks, brush, and wipe clean.

Ø To clean dirty grout, apply Listerine, and wipe clean.

Ø Colgate toothpaste will remove stains on clothes. Apply toothpaste to stain, rub in, and wash as usual.

Ø Coffee filters make excellent covers. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave.

Ø PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

September 2009

Ø For a sore throat, gargle with a glass of warm water to which one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar

has been added. Repeat as needed. You can also use this as a mouthwash.

Ø If you break the cork when opening a bottle of wine, pour the wine through a coffee filter to filter

the broken cork from the wine.

Ø To recycle oil after frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.

Ø Beer conditions the hair.

Ø Pam cooking spray will dry finger nail polish.

Ø For shiny hair, rinse your hair with vinegar.

Ø Peanut butter will get scratches out of CD's! Wipe off with a coffee filter paper.

August 2009 (submitted by Carol Turner)

Ø Kool aid to clean dishwasher pipes. Just put in the detergent section and run a cycle, it will also

clean a toilet. (Wow, and we drink this stuff.)

Ø Peanut butter - will get scratches out of CD's! Wipe off with a coffee filter paper.

Ø Sticking bicycle chain - Pam no-stick cooking spray.

Ø Pam cooking spray will dry finger nail polish.

Ø Pam will also remove paint, and grease from your hands! Keep a can in your garage for your

hubby.

Ø Peanut butter will remove ink from the face of dolls.

Ø To remove wax - Take a paper towel and iron it over the wax stain, it will absorb into the towel.

July 2009

Ø Relieve itching from Athlete’s Foot by rinsing the feet several times a day with plain or herbal apple

cider vinegar.

Ø Keep cats out of the garden by soaking pieces of paper in vinegar and placing them around the

garden.

Ø Dissolve chewing gum and remove decals by saturating them with vinegar. Vinegar removes gum

from fabric, carpet, and upholstery. If the vinegar is heated, it will work faster.

Ø Add vinegar to laundry rinse cycle for whiter clothes.

Ø Erase crayon stains from fabric and other surfaces by moistening a soft toothbrush with vinegar

then rub the stain out.

Ø Mix a small amount of peppermint with one tablespoon (15 mL) of vinegar in a glass of water to

help ease an upset stomach.

Ø Adding 1 teaspoon (5 mL) vinegar to each quart (1 L) of your pet’s drinking water acts systemically

to deter fleas and ticks.

June 2009

Ø If you find it difficult to fill freezer bags, put them inside a measuring cup, fold a small flap over the

edges of the cup, and fill with foodstuffs. This prevents the bag from collapsing and avoids spills. The same is true for larger bags. Find a suitable sized bowl or can to place the bags in and fill.

Ø Use baby oil to remove fingerprints and marks off the doors of stainless steel appliances. Use a

small amount on a paper towel or cloth and wipe off.

Ø Baby oil also removes the glue from packing tape used in shipping.

Ø Protect your good china by separating with a coffee filter between each dish. (submitted by Martha

Pass)

Ø If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter. (submitted

by Martha Pass)

Ø Pam cooking spray will dry finger nail polish. (submitted by Carol Turner)

Ø Mayonnaise will KILL LICE, it will also condition your hair. (submitted by Carol Turner)

May 2009

Ø To get rid of ants in a green way: wipe area with a solution of half white vinegar and half water –

ants don't like vinegar and then put a little pile of cornmeal at the entry point - the ants take the cornmeal back to the nest, but they can't digest it. I know that it is sad for the ants, but sometimes it is necessary to clear them for sanitary reasons. When they emerge into non-physical, they will just come back anyway, but hopefully somewhere else! Anyway, this really works - it takes about a day or two, then they are gone.

Ø To remove pesticides, heavy metal residues, and insects from fruits and vegetables, wash them in a

solution of 2 1/2 tablespoons (37.5 mL) vinegar to 1 gallon (4 quarts) water.

Ø Use garlic wine vinegar as a substitute for fresh garlic in any recipe. One teaspoon (5 mL) is the

equivalent of one small clove of garlic.

Ø To revive wilted vegetables, place in a cold water-vinegar solution.

Ø To retain bright colour and vitamin content of vegetables while steaming, add

Ø 2 teaspoons (10 mL) vinegar to the water. This also prevents unwelcome odours. When a recipe

calls for wine, you can substitute vinegar by diluting one-part vinegar with three parts water.

Ø Food that has been over-salted can be salvaged by adding 1 teaspoon (5 mL)

each of vinegar and sugar, then re-heating.

April 2009

Ø To clean silverware and make it sparkle, use a paste of equal parts baking soda and water.

Ø Citrus rinds added to simmering cinnamon and cloves will make your home smell lovely.

Ø To clean and deodorise cutting boards, rub them with lemon rind.

Ø To keep cheese from sticking to the grater, spray the grater with non-stick cooking spray and grate

as usual.

Ø To prevent egg shells from cracking during boiling, add a pinch of salt to the water.

Ø To prevent stains on plastic containers, spray with non-stick cooking spray before pouring in tomato

based sauces.

Ø Clean windows and countertops with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.

March 2009

GPS This gives us something to think about with all our new electronic technology. (submitted by Carol Turner)

A couple of weeks ago a friend told me that someone she knew had their car broken into while they were at a football match. Their car was parked on the green that was adjacent to the football stadium and specially allotted to football fans. Things stolen from the car included a garage door remote control, some money and a GPS that had been prominently mounted on the dashboard.

When the victims got home, they found that their house had been ransacked and just about everything worth anything had been stolen.

The thieves had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They then used the garage remote control to open the garage door and gain entry to the house. The thieves knew the owners were at the football game, they knew what time the game was scheduled to finish and so they knew how much time they had to clean up the house. It would appear that they had brought a truck to empty the house of its contents.

MOBILE PHONE
I never thought of this...
This lady has now changed her habit of how she lists her names on her mobile phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag, which contained her cell phone, credit card, wallet, etc, was stolen. 20 minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says 'I received your text asking about our pin number and I've replied a little while ago.'

When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen cell phone to text 'hubby' in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.

Moral of the lesson:
Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mom, etc. And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, CONFIRM by calling back. Also, when you're being text by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet 'family and friends' who text you.

* PLEASE PASS THIS ON
* I never thought about THAT! As of now, I no longer have 'home' listed on my cell phone.

Coffee Filters ...who knew there are so many uses for them!! (submitted by Martha Pass)

Ø Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.

Ø Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil

from going through the drainage holes.

Ø Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.

Ø Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine

through a coffee filter.

Ø Protect China . . . Separate your good dishes by putting a coffee filter between each dish.

Ø Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.

February 2009

Ø To soften brown sugar, heat in the microwave for a minute or two on low so it can be easily

used.

Ø If you use brown sugar only on special occasions, put it in a container and refrigerate or freeze

to keep it fresher for many more months than in the cupboard.

Ø Rust on a cookie sheet or any other rusty pan can be removed by rubbing a cut up potato over

the rusted area.

Ø Keep your box of cling wrap in the refrigerator as it makes it easier to unwrap without wrapping

around your hands and not around the container.

Ø To soften dried up cheese, soak in a bowl of buttermilk for about 30 minutes.

Ø Don’t throw out dried up cheese: grate over dishes where the cheese can be melted such as

soup, meatloaf, etc. or mix with onions and serve as a topping on steak sandwiches.

Ø To have lemon slices on hand for tea, water, etc., freeze lemon slices individually on freezer

wrap. When frozen, store in freezer bags.

January 2009

Ø For safer footing on ice, sprinkle cat litter as an environmentally friendly alternative to salt. Wood

ashes can also be used.

Ø Rub a lemon rind over your cutting board to clean and deodorize.

Ø Put used coffee grounds down your sink to flush out small particles that can build up.

Ø Wrap Christmas lights around used toilet paper or paper towel rolls to keep them tidy.

Ø Slip a section of old garden hose around young tree trunk to protect it from support ropes.

Ø To keep cats out of your garden, lay down old pieces of black garden hose. The cats apparently

think they are snakes.

Ø Crush your old egg shells to provide calcium for your plants. You can soak the shells in the water or

spread them around the base of the plant (dig them into the soil if you prefer not to see them) and water as usual.

December 2008

Ø To clean soap scum from bathtubs, use Avon Skin-So-Soft. Just pour some over the area to be

cleaned, and wipe with a damp cloth. Remember this leaves a slick area, so wipe off before stepping into the tub.

Ø To save chicken or meat broth without the fat, pour into a container, cover and place in the

refrigerator until the fat floats to the top and hardens. Skim off the fat and your broth is ready to be used or frozen for future use.

Ø Before baking, brush the top of home-made bread with salty water to give it a lovely crunchy

topping.

Ø To soften brown sugar, cover the open container with a damp cloth.

Ø Freeze your excess gravy to use in future stocks and sauces.

Ø When stuffing a turkey, put a piece of cheesecloth inside the cavity, then put in the stuffing. When

the turkey is cooked, pull out the cheesecloth and the stuffing comes right out.

Ø To ripen avocados, store in a warm place in a brown paper bag.

November 2008

Ø Interplant onions, garlic and chives between vegetables to keep aphids away.

Ø To store cucumbers, keep in a cool, dry place. Keeping cucmbers dry is the key to storing them.

Ø To perk up house plants or plants in the garden, save egg shells and crush in a container. Add water

(1 gallon (4 litres) to 12 egg shells), let stand overnight, and pour over plants to fertilize.

Ø Add citrus peel to tea leaves while they are brewing or put several small strips and a tea bag into a cup with some boiled water.

Ø Citrus rinds added to simmering cinnamon and cloves will make your home smell lovely.

Ø Wash houseplants with a gentle spray of water to keep aphids away. For a heavy infestation, mix dish washing detergent - 2 tablespoons (30 mL) to 4 cups (900 mL) water and spray plants. Keep the spray approximately 12 inches (30 cm) back from plants, as the leaves can burn.

Ø Orange peel scattered on flowerbeds deters cats.

October 2008

Ø Leftover tomato paste or sauce? Freeze in ice cubes trays and use in soups and sauces.

Ø The following is information from a farmer who grows and packages carrots for IGA, METRO, LOBLAWS, etc. The small cocktail (baby) carrots you buy in small plastic bags are made using the larger crooked or deformed carrots which are put through a machine which cuts and shapes them into cocktail carrots. Most people probably know this already.

What you may not know and should know is the following: once the carrots are cut and shaped into cocktail carrots they are dipped in a solution of water and chlorine in order to preserve them (this is the same chlorine used in your pool) since they do not have their skin or natural protective covering, they give them a higher dose of chlorine. You will notice that once you keep these carrots in your refrigerator for a few days, a white covering will form on the carrots, this is the chlorine which resurfaces. At what cost do we put our health at risk to have esthetically pleasing vegetables that are practically plastic?

We do hope that this information can be passed on to as many people as possible in the hopes of informing them where these carrots come from and how they are processed. Chlorine is a very well known carcinogen.
Please let us make this information available to as many people as possible.
If you care about your family and friends, pass it on. (Submitted by Karen Treso)

Ø Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

Ø PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Ø Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Ø Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine, 'eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration have just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke. (Banana H&T’s submitted by Martha Pass)

September 2008

Ø To remove a musty smell from the basement, place saucers with white vinegar around the space.

Ø Small onions are peeled much easier when you pour boiling water on them.

Ø To peel tomatoes, briefly blanch them in boiling water and the skin comes off easily.

Ø To preserve tomatoes at the end of the season, freeze them. I put them in leftover plastic bread bags. When you are ready to use, pour hot water over them and the skins will come off easily. Use the same as you would canned.

Ø When frying onions, if the oil starts to dry up, add a drop of water instead of more oil. The same goes when stir-frying anything.

Ø Keep fresh herbs and fresh spices, such as root ginger, in the freezer to stop them from spoiling. The ginger or garlic can be grated into the food while still frozen.

Ø To brown onions more quickly, add a little sugar to caramelize them.

August 2008

Ø Remove red wine stains with club soda. Pour on the stain, squeeze, and wash as usual.

Ø Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Ø To rid your house of smells such as cooking, dog, etc., add a cotton ball soaked with a few drops

of aromatherapy oil, like geranium or lavender, to your vacuum cleaner bag. Next time you vacuum, the smell will be gone and a beautiful scent has been added to your home.

Ø Slice washed lemons thinly, cut into quarters, and put in ice trays with a little water. The next time you have a cold drink, the ice and lemon will be supplied in one cube.

Ø To cover scratches on dark wood furniture, make a paste from instant coffee and water. Rub into the scratches, and then wipe off excess with a clean cloth.

Ø For shiny hair, add 1 – 2 tablespoons (15 – 30 mL) vinegar to final rinse. Dry in normal way.

Ø Baking soda, club soda, and white vinegar are excellent non-toxic spot removers. Just pour or sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on carpet area and vacuum up. When using vinegar and Club Soda, just pour on, let it soak, wipe off, and rinse with warm water.

July 2008

Ø To get rid of the pesky ants, take cinnamon and place it wherever you have noticed them and they will leave.

Ø You can eliminate any bug problem in dry products by freezing flour, cornmeal, or dry cereal. I store the products in the freezer and use when needed.

Ø If you are troubled with silverfish, try placing whole cloves in the closets and drawers.

Ø To remove rust stains in cotton, rub with lemon juice and salt. Leave it several hours. It's even more effective when placed in the sun. Wash as normal.

Ø Ink Stains. If the ink is still wet put salt on the stain, and then brush it off after a few minutes when it has soaked up some of the ink. You may need to repeat this a few times.

Ø Clean wet ink off carpet with soda water, blot it off with paper towels, and then clean with a detergent.

Ø To remove melted wax from clothing, lay a brown paper bag over the garment before you iron it. Keep moving the bag around to absorb all the wax.

June 2008

Ø BEE STINGS (I received this by e-mail and though I haven’t used it myself, thought I would share it.)
It might be wise to carry a penny in your pocket while working in the
yard......... BEE STINGS!
A couple of weeks ago, I was stung by both a bee and hornet while working in the garden. My arm swelled up, so I went to the doctor. The clinic gave me cream and an antihistamine.
The next day the swelling was getting progressively worse, so I went to my regular doctor.
The arm was infected and needed an antibiotic. The doctor told me - ' The next time you get stung, put a penny on the bite for 15 minutes'.
Soon, I was gardening outside. I got stung again, twice by a hornet on my left hand. I thought, here I go again, to the doctor for another antibiotic.
I promptly got my money out and taped two pennies to my bites, then sat and sulked for 15 minutes. The penny took the string out of the bite immediately.
In the meantime the hornets were attacking, and my friend was stung on the thumb. Again the penny. The next morning I could only see the spot where the hornet had stung me. No redness, no swelling. My friend's sting was the same; couldn't even tell where she had been stung.
She got stung again a few days later upon her back---cutting the grass!
And the penny worked once again.
Wanted to share this marvellous information in case you experience the same problem. We need to keep a stock of pennies on hand.
The doctor said that the copper in the penny counteracts the bite. It definitely works! Please remember and pass this information on to your friends, children, grandchildren, etc.

Ø Save some seeds from small red peppers and plant two or three seeds at a time in yoghurt pots. When they are a couple of inches high, re-pot in a medium sized plant pot. You will soon have an attractive indoor plant - and a supply of chillies.

Ø Lawn Patches. These can be removed by using spare bits of turf cut to size and fit into the gap.

Add plenty of compost into the cracks, and water well.

Ø Applying 1 teaspoonful salt (5 mL) can individually kill a weed such as dandelion in your lawn.

Ø Coffee Grounds or Tea Bags can be used to make compost, however excessive use inhibits

growth. Caffeine is a naturally occurring herbicide.

Ø To remove blood stains from clothes, put some hydrogen peroxide on cotton ball and dab at the

stain till gone.

Ø To get rid of grease (e.g. chicken fat) stains from clothes, dab on eucalyptus oil just before

washing. The eucalyptus binds with the other fat and is volatile so disappears with hot water. Heavy staining might take a few applications.

May 2008

Ø Pinch off the tendrils of sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) to improve their flowering capacity.

Ø If your plastic garden furniture gets stained, make a paste by mixing baking soda and water and apply it for a few minutes before wiping it off.

Ø Apply either cooking or motor oil to metal tools and aluminium garden furniture to preserve them over the winter. Wipe them off before using again.

Ø Never clean or adjust electrical gardening equipment while it is still plugged in. Never wash electrical gardening equipment with water.

Ø Lining a bamboo steamer with Napa Cabbage helps prevent food from sticking to the bottom.

Ø Don’t mix cut daffodils in with other cut flowers as the daffodils produce a toxin that kills off the other flowers.

Ø Unwanted cats can be kept out the garden by sprinkling pepper in the garden. Citrus fruit peel is supposed to work as well.

April 2008

Ø Save wooden ice cream spatulas, lollypop sticks or plastic knives to use as garden labels. Write

on them with a ballpoint pen or waterproof marker.

Ø To avoid tender plants getting damaged by frost, listen to the weather forecast and protect

delicate plants with newspaper, old clothes, or sheets.

Ø If you find handles of tools, mowers, and shears uncomfortable to hold, try buying a foam bicycle

handlebar grip. Slip the grips over the tool handles, using dishwashing liquid or Vaseline if it proves difficult. If the handle in question is continuous, slit the grip horizontally to allow it to be slipped over the handle.

Ø Before filling a strawberry barrel with compost, stand a piece of drainpipe or cardboard tube

upright in the centre, and fill with pebbles. As you fill with compost, gradually remove the tube

releasing the pebbles. This will act as a central drainage system preventing the soil from becoming waterlogged.

Ø When planting bare rooted trees and shrubs, spread the roots out like an umbrella (twisted roots

stunt growth). As you cover the roots with soil shake the plant from time to time to allow the soil to

drop down well between them. Water well after planting. When planting container grown plants,

disturb the roots as little as possible so that they continue to benefit from the compost they are grown in. Water as usual after planting.

Ø To prevent slugs getting to plants in containers, smear outside of container with petroleum jelly.

March 2008

Ø Briskly rolling an orange around on a flat surface will loosen the skin and make for easier

peeling.

Ø The general rule of thumb is 1 tbsp. (15 mL) fresh herbs is equivalent to 1 tsp. (5 mL) dried

ones.

Ø To peel hard-boiled eggs, drain eggs and fill pot with cold water. While eggs are sitting in the

water, crack them on the side of the pot, let sit for a minute or two, and then peel.

Ø To hard-boil eggs and keep them from cracking, add a few drops of white vinegar to the water.

Ø Boiling water hardens the protein in egg whites. To avoid this, cover eggs with salted water,

heat to boiling, turn off stove and let sit for 20 minutes in the hot water. Run under cold water for easier peeling.

Ø Never run out of shrimp sauce again. Add 1 tbsp. (15 mL) minced onions and 1 tsp. (5 mL)

horseradish to 1 cup (250 mL) ketchup.

Ø A quick way of making a substitute Tartar Sauce is by adding 2 tbsp. (30 mL) chopped mixed

pickles to 7 tbsp. (105 mL) mayonnaise.

February 2008

Ø Drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately without the

unpleasant side effects caused by traditional pain relievers.

Ø Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns.

Ø Hunt's tomato paste boil cure ...cover the boil with Hunt's tomato paste as a compress. The acids

from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head. (Above H&T’s submitted by Martha Pass and Marcie Wiltse.)

Ø To kill spider mites and their eggs on your plants, mix together 1/2 cup (125 mL) buttermilk,

4 cups (1 L) wheat flour, and 5 gallons (20 L) water. Mix. Then strain this mixture through cheesecloth. Spray it onto the diseased plants.

Ø Keep dogs and cats out of your yard with this mixture: chopped garlic bulbs, 1 tbsp. (15 mL)

cayenne pepper steeped in 1 qt. (1 L) water. Mix the two ingredients. Add 1 tsp. (5 mL) liquid dishwashing soap. Strain the portion that you are going to use and spray onto the plant leaves. The remainder can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Ø Grits sprinkled in the garden are also supposed to be an effective way to kill ants.

Ø Add milk to leftover mashed potatoes to make potato soup. Heat and serve.

January 2008

Ø Do you know what side of your vehicle your gas gauge is on? If you look at the gas gauge, you

will see a small icon of a gas pump. The handle of the gas pump will extend out on either the left or

right side of the pump. If your tank is on the left, the handle will be on the left. If your tank is on the right, the handle will be on the right. It is that simple! (I drive a Ford van and the icon is not shown, however if you look at the bottom of the gauge you will see an arrow pointing in the direction of the tank.) submitted by Rachelle Hanson

The following hints & tips are submitted by Martha Pass.

Ø Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of horseradish in 1 cup

(250 mL) of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.

Ø Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and

drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly - even though the product has never been advertised for this use.

Ø Listerine therapy for toenail fungus. Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes

in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.

Ø Vinegar to heal bruises ... Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.

Ø Balm for broken blisters... To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine.

Ø Easy eyeglass protection... To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small

drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear nail polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.

December 2007

Ø Many people use wicker containers that quickly become moldy when moist. The damp soil can be a substrate for the growth of mold and bacteria which, when the soil is disturbed, become airborne. Re-potting should be done outside. Over-watering should obviously be avoided both for plant health and human health. (Submitted by Hal Levin. See Hal’s article Can House Plants Solve IAQ Problems? in the Gardening For The Soil section of this newsletter.)

Ø PIN NUMBER REVERSAL (GOOD TO KNOW)

Ø If you should ever be forced by a robber to withdraw money from an ATM machine, you can notify the police by entering your Pin # in reverse.
For example if your pin number is 1234 then you would put in 4321.
The ATM recognizes that your pin number is backwards from the ATM card you placed in the machine. The machine will still give you the money you requested, but unknown to the robber, the police will be immediately dispatched to help you.
This information was recently broadcasted on CTV; and it states that it is seldom used, because people don't know it exists. (Submitted by Carol Turner. I don’t know if this applies outside of Canada. If any readers do know, please contact me and I will pass it on in the January Newsletter.)

Ø Did you know that???? 3% Peroxide
"I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little old bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store. My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide, or they would lose thousands of dollars."
1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe). No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash. (Small print says mouth wash and gargle right on the bottle.)
2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of "Peroxide" to keep them free of germs.
3. Clean your counters, table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.
4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years - until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.
6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine, but was healed by soaking in peroxide.
7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.
8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, or plugged sinuses. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes then blow your nose into a tissue.
9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.
10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages, but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, reddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually so it's not a drastic change.
11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.
12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.
13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors and there is no smearing which is why I love it so much for this.
I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle no home should be without! With prices of most necessities rising, I'm glad there's a way to save tons of money in such a simple, healthy manner.

(This was written by Becky Ransey of Indiana and submitted by Rachelle Hanson.)

November 2007

Ø If you have rust marks on your baking dishes, pour some cola into the dish and soak overnight.

Ø Wash your sponges in the dishwasher along with your dishes to make them last longer.

Ø Use equal parts white vinegar and salt to clean out coffee and tea stains from your china.

Ø Scrub copper pots with a bit of salt and vinegar to clean.

Ø Save your old toothbrushes to scrub small areas. They are also ideal for cleaning tile grout.

Ø A window decal can be removed by painting with vinegar. When it has thoroughly soaked for a few minutes, it can be wiped off easily.

Ø To clean hard-water build-up on fixtures, sprinkle on some baking soda, wrap with a rag soaked in white vinegar, and let soak for an hour. Build-up should scrub away with a nylon pad.

October 2007

This information was submitted by Carol Turner and came from a neighborhood watch coordinator.

Ø Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone

trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.

Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break in your house, odds are the burglar or rapist won't stick around.... after a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that.

And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there... This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.

P.S. I am sending this to everyone I know because I think it is fantastic. Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone. Pass this on.......................it might help someone!!!

Ø To ward off black spot on your roses, mix together 1 tbsp. (15 mL) baking soda, 1 tsp. (5 mL) dishwashing detergent, and 1 gallon (3.8 L) water. Mix together and spray on roses early in the morning once a week until disease has disappeared.

Ø Rubbing alcohol can be used to treat plants infested with mites, aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs. Use rubbing alcohol on cotton balls and rub gently over affected areas. This treatment will successfully eliminate these pests.

Ø To get fingerprints and marks off stainless steel appliances, use ‘baby oil.’ Place a small amount on a napkin or paper towel and wipe. It also takes the glue off from the tape that is used in shipping.

Ø To polish chrome, use baking soda or vinegar or lemon juice and a soft cloth. Try removing scum with baby oil.

Ø To make furniture polish, use 1 part lemon juice to 2 parts olive or vegetable oil.

Ø Shoe polish. Polish leather with the inside of a banana peel, then buff.

Ø Scrubbers for scouring dishes can be made by cutting pieces of mesh potato/onion bags and tied into a small ball.

September 2007

Ø To tell if your houseplants need watering, hold a toothpick by the top, and stab it into the soil as

far as it will go. Pull it out, and if particles of soil adhere to the toothpick, the soil underneath the top

inch is moist, and no watering is needed. If it comes out clean, the soil under the top inch is dry, and

the plant needs watering. To save trees, and to have it ready at hand, leave the testing toothpick stuck halfway in one of the flowerpots, for re-using the next time.

Ø Save lawn clippings and place them between the rows of your garden as mulch. Clippings

conserve moisture and provide a good organic (if your lawn is free of pesticides and herbicides)

fertilizing agent. At the end of the gardening season, dig the clippings into the soil where they will break down and improve soil texture. (See Article.Organic Lawn Care for detailed information about getting your lawn off drugs.)

Ø Get rid of aphids on your plants by using a home-made insecticidal soap. Mix 1 cup (250 mL)

vegetable oil with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) dishwashing liquid. Take 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of this oil and dish liquid concoction; mix with 1 cup (250 mL) water and spray on the leaves of plants. Hold the spray approximately 12 inches (30 cm) away from plants to prevent the leaves from burning. (For more information and recipes, see my book The Healing Garden: A Place Of Peace, chapter 14, Earth Stewardship, pages 151-170; booklet Non-toxic Alternatives For Everyday Cleaning And Gardening Chores and on this web site, Environmentally_Friendly_Gardening_Products.htm. To purchase the book or booklet, go to http://www.gwenshealinggarden.ca/Books.htm.)

Ø Reheat leftover pizza in a non-stick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza.

Ø Easy Deviled Eggs. Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken

up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up, mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, and squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

Ø Honey remedy for skin blemishes. Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid

over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.

Ø Sore throat? Mix 1/4 cup (50 mL) vinegar with 1/4 cup (50 mL) honey. Take 1 tablespoon

(15 mL) six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.

August 2007 Mosquito Repellents

Ø Use Bounce fabric softener sheets - just wipe on & go or place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

Ø Best thing for babies is diaper rash ointment with lots of zinc.

Ø Bob, a fisherman, takes one vitamin B-1 tablet a day April through October. He said it works. He hasn't had a mosquito bite in 33 years. Try it. Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine Hydrochloride 100 mg.)

Ø If you eat bananas, the mosquitoes like you - something about the banana oil as your body processes it. Stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquitoes will be much less interested.

Ø One of the best insect repellents someone found (who is in the woods every day) is Vick's Vaporub or Tiger Balm.

Ø Plant marigolds around the yard, the flowers give off a smell that bugs do not like, so plant some in the garden to also help ward off bugs without using insecticides.

Ø "Tough guy" Marines who spend a great deal of time "camping out" say that the very best

mosquito repellent you can use is Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil mixed about half and half with alcohol.

Ø One of the best natural insect repellents discovered by one person is the clear real vanilla. This

is the pure Vanilla that is sold in Mexico. It works great for mosquitoes and ticks.

July 2007

Ø Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's a lot cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

Ø Keep a small bottle of baby powder in your beach bag. When you are ready to leave the beach, sprinkle yourself and the kids with the powder and the sand will slide right off your skin.

Ø To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift-wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

Ø Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and - voila - static is gone.

Ø When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar/calories per serving.

Ø To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

Ø Use a dry cotton ball to pick up little broken glass pieces of glass - the fibres catch ones you can't see!

May/June 2007

Ø Eliminate ear mites...All it takes is a few drops of corn oil in your cat's ear... Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.

Ø Kill fleas instantly...Dawn dish washing liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations.

Ø Vinegar to heal bruises...Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.

Ø Balm for broken blisters...To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine…a powerful antiseptic.

Ø Hunt's tomato paste boil cure...Cover the boil with Hunt's tomato paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.

Ø Smart splinter remover...Just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.

Ø Remove ticks…Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20), the tick will come out on it's own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away.

March/April 2007

Ø Potatoes eaten with the skin on are an excellent source of potassium, vitamin C, and a source of iron and fibre.

Ø Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.

Ø Use a meat baster to ‘squeeze’ your pancake batter onto the hot griddle. You will have perfectly shaped pancakes every time.

Ø High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood so helps in cases of anemia.

Ø Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treats into the pan. The marshmallows won’t stick to your fingers.

Ø Wrap celery in aluminium foil before storing in the refrigerator. It will keep for weeks.

Ø Don’t throw out leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

January/February 2007

Ø To get rid of ants, put small piles of cornmeal where you see them. They eat it, take it ‘home,’ and can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed.

Ø To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2 full with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dishwashing liquid, mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever.

Ø If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. It unseals easily.

Ø Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser. Works better than a cloth.

Ø Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill it with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry the cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Ø To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle the plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

Ø To keep weeds from growing in your plants, start putting in the plants, and work the nutrients into the soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go, cover with mulch, and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic; they will not get through wet newspapers.

November/December 2006

Ø To know where streaks are on windows, wash one side vertically and the other side horizontally.

Ø To remove tomato and grease stains, use Avon Bubble Bath. Dab, rub, and wash as usual. The bubble bath will not ruin the colour of the garment.

Ø To freeze beets for winter storage, cook them until you can remove the skins. Chop up and put them straight into freezer bags. They turn out very delicious – just like they are out of the garden.

Ø To clean and disinfect surfaces, use full strength vinegar applied with a sponge or soft cloth, and wipe clean for a sparkly shine. Vinegar has been proven to be even more effective than expensive commercial cleaners. When Yale-New Haven Hospital was having problems with after-surgery infections, they cleaned their scrubbing rooms with vinegar and found that it worked better than the expensive commercial cleaners they had previously used. (See Non-toxic Cleaning Products for more recipes. You can purchase a hardcopy of the booklet Non-toxic Alternatives For Everyday Cleaning and Gardening Chores at Books or the E-book at: Non-toxic_Alternatives.PPP.htm.)

Ø To repair scratches in wood furniture, mix equal parts vegetable oil and lemon juice. Put mixture onto a soft cloth and rub against the scratches until they disappear.

Ø To avoid tears when peeling onions, slice first, and then slip the bands of skin off.

Ø To remove onion odours from your hands or cutting boards, use dry mustard. Shake on the mustard, rub in, and then rinse off.

September/October 2006

Ø You can get rid of fungus gnats by poking holes in a jar lid (any kind will do) and making holes in

the top large enough for the gnats to fly through. Fill the bottom of the jar with vinegar (about 1/4 full). Put the lid on the jar and sit the jar in the area of the kitchen or anywhere you want to capture the gnats.

Ø Freeze excess gravy and use later on for flavouring soups, stocks, and sauces.

Ø To stop avocados from oxidizing and turning brown, put lemon juice on the avocado after slicing

or mashing.

Ø To peel garlic cloves, smash the clove on a cutting board with a heavy knife. The garlic peel will

slide off easily.

Ø Store ginger root in the freezer to stop it from drying up or spoiling. The ginger can be grated into

the food while still frozen.

Ø To stuff devilled eggs: after boiling your eggs and making your filling, put the filling mixture in a

ziplock bag, make sure the bag is sealed, and snip off one corner of the bag. Squeeze the filling into

the halved egg whites. After filling the egg halves, discard the baggie.

Ø To make shrimp sauce, add 1 tbsp. (15 mL) minced onion and 1 tsp. (5 mL) horseradish to 1 cup

(250 mL) ketchup.

July/August 2006

Ø To remove gum from hair, rub in peanut butter and comb out hair.

Ø To remove burnt taste from gravy, add 1 tbsp. (15 mL) peanut butter to and stir.

Ø To remove a stuck burned-out light bulb, turn on power source for a few seconds. Turn off the

power source and the light bulb will remove easily.

Ø If your plastic garden furniture gets stained, make a paste by mixing baking soda and water and

apply. Leave on for a few minutes before wiping it off.

Ø You can get rid of weeds and grass growing in the cracks in your sidewalk, driveway, flowerbed,

or lawn by pouring boiling water on them.

Ø If you have an aquarium, save the water each time you change it and water your houseplants

with it. The water will provide nutrients for your plants.

Ø Save your pan drippings when cooking meat. Add a little water to the pan, let sit while you eat,

scrap out the pan, and freeze the drippings for later use in flavouring soups, sauces, and gravies.

May/June 2006

Ø Mary Young from California, writes that once a month she feeds her African Violets with

chamomile tea cooled to room temperature. Chamomile tea stimulates blooming due to the nutrients in the tea. Potash, one of the nutrients, is necessary for big blooms and the tannic acid in the tea helps plants retain moisture.

Ø To marinade meat, place the marinade and meat in a Ziploc baggie or plastic bag. If you are

concerned about the bag leaking you can place it in a bowl. Rub marinade into the meat and turn occasionally to marinade other side. Leave meat in marinade for the required time indicated by the recipe and then cook as usual.

Ø When making potato salad, use warm potatoes. The flavour will be enhanced as the potatoes

absorb the dressing more effectively.

Ø Brown rice is high in nutrients. Sautéing it in olive oil or butter before cooking intensifies its

nutty flavour.

Ø Don’t throw out leftover tea; water your plants with it.

Ø To remove lipstick stains, spray well with hairspray. With a bar of soap, rub out stain, and rinse

in cold water.

Ø To remove white ring on wood, smear mayonnaise thickly over the stain. Leave on for 4 hours

and wipe off. Clean and polish as usual.

March/April 2006

Ø To remove groves from carpet after moving furniture, place ice cubes in the groves over night.

The carpet will be dry and the groves will be gone in the morning.

Ø To keep ants out of the house, draw a line of chalk (with the chalksticks used on chalkboards)

where they are entering the house. Ants won’t cross a chalk line.

Ø Sage is an ant repellent. Place sage branches or sage leaves on the entry point.

Ø Chew mint gum or mint leaves to keep away mosquitoes or bugs.

Ø To keep cut flowers fresh longer, add half water and half sprite or 7-up.

Ø To remove spaghetti from the cellophane bag, firmly whack the spaghetti on the bottom of the

counter. This will open the bag and you will be able to remove the spaghetti easily.

Ø Mosquito bites: try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find

It amazingly successful at reducing the swelling and irritation.

January/February 2006

Ø Store your flour in the freezer. This will keep your flour fresh if you don’t use it frequently.

Ø Nuts become rancid easily. Store in the freezer. Buy your nuts from a health food store,

where they are stored in the refrigerator.

Ø To find out if your oil is hot enough for deep-frying, place the handle of a wooden spoon in the

oil. If the oil bubbles around the spoon, the oil is ready.

Ø Use unbleached coffee filters rather than the permanent filters you can buy. The paper will

remove more of the impurities in the ground coffee. Compost the coffee grinds and filters.

Ø When cutting an eggplant, use a stainless steel knife as carbon steel will react with the

phytochemicals and cause it to turn black.

Ø To increase the amount of juice in your lemons, place lemon on your cutting board, roll with

your hand to break down the fibre or heat in the microwave for 10 seconds.

Ø Keep a stale bottle of club soda under the sink for an environmentally friendly way to clean

carpet spots, soap scum, windows and mirrors, chrome, and stains from red wine, coffee, tea, and pop. (For more information about club soda and cleaning, see

Non-toxic Alternatives For Everyday Cleaning And Gardening Chores.)

Home | Top

For more information or questions about material on this site contact www.gwenshealinggarden.ca/Contact_Form.htm