|
Post by Sylvia on May 31, 2008 5:27:02 GMT -6
I know that I am always singing the praises of good old vinegar, but as a severe allergy sufferer (hopefully recovering), I tried a lot of natural remedies. Vinegar has so many uses and not all in the food area. Sometimes I find it very difficult to remove stickers from items - particularly price tags from the bottom of shoes, soak a cottonwool ball in straight vinegar and soak the sticker hey presto it will soon come off. Did you know if you use hot vinegar on a cloth it will remove paint drips on glass, also excellent cold for removing grime and dust before painting woodwork. If you heat the vinegar in a microwave it gets rid of nasty niffy smells, especially fish smell.
If you have dry and itchy skin, put a few drops of apple cider vinegar in your bathwater, if you want a muscle relaxant add 2 cups to your bath. If you have dry, brittle nails soak your nails in full strength apple cider vinegar for five minutes do this about once a week you will soon notice a difference.
Here in Scotland a 1 pint bottle of plain vinegar cost about £1, whereas you can buy a gallon from Macro, Cosco or larger stores for £1.99 - being a regular user and a Scot to boot, Im sure you know where I buy mine. Sylvia446
|
|
|
Post by Sylvia on Aug 25, 2008 14:59:50 GMT -6
Ginger, Lemon Grass and Garlic Vinegar
This is an oil inspired by middle eastern cuisine
3 garlic cloves, peeled 2 Stalks Lemon Grass 250ml/9fl oz rice wine vinegar 1tbsp grated ginger
Wash and dry the lower portion of the lemon grass stalks, then crush or bruise them slightly. Cut them, if you want smaller pieces in the bottle/jar. Cut the garlic cloves in half length-ways.
Place the lemon grass, garlic and ginger in a clean sterilised bottle/jar.
Heat the rice wine vinegar until it starts to bubble around the edges. Remove from the heat, cool a little, then add to the jar with the other ingredients, When completely cool, cover the jar/bottle and store in a dark, dry place.
(If you can't find rice wine vinegar you could use cider vinegar).
Sylvia446
|
|
|
Post by bshem_yshua on Aug 25, 2008 15:55:54 GMT -6
Hi Sylvia,
I am still learning the many benefits of vinegars. I have also used it for cleaning cutting boards, used it alone or diluted with a little water to clean glass windows, last year I had a bout of swelling from an allergic reaction and someone suggested a warm vinegar soak. I was very surprised at how quickly the swelling went down. I learned later that vinegar soaks are an old fashioned remedy, good for sprains and twisted ankles, swollen hands. Worked where a plain salt bath failed to give relief for the swelling in my hands. Still good as an after rinse for shampooed hair to get the traces of detergent, hair spray etc. out and makes the hair shine. Use 1 cup of vinegar to 1 cup of water and rinse after cleansing hair. I am sure there are even more things that I haven't found out about yet. bshem_yshua
|
|
|
Post by Sylvia on Aug 26, 2008 4:14:48 GMT -6
Good morning Bshem
Yes you are right about vinegars there are so many uses - I am still finding new uses everyday. I'm sure there is an old post somewhere on the boards on 60 things to do with vinegar. I've searched and searched, but can't locate it. Perhaps Chris in NM will know - she's been around for many years and probably knows exactly where to find it.
I have mentioned this before, I have a septic tank and can't/won't use toxics down my drains. Once a week I pour a handful of bicarbonate of soda down my plug holes followed by a good cupful of vinegar then put the plugs in for half an hour. To flush the whole system run very hot water down the drains. Clean, clear and fresh smelling drains.
I have got an old ancient book that belonged to my MIL which only deals with vinegars. Instead of buying it by the bottle - I buy it by the gallon.
Nice to hear from you again.
Sylvia446
|
|
|
Post by Chris in NM on Aug 26, 2008 5:19:52 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by suehorne5892 on Aug 26, 2008 17:45:48 GMT -6
Sylvia: Got any suggestions for poison ivy relief? Sue in NC
|
|
|
Post by Sylvia on Aug 26, 2008 18:13:58 GMT -6
Hi Sue,
Cold compresses should help and follow up with calamine lotion, if you've no calamine lotion make a paste from Baking Soda and cold water. See your Doctor as soon as possible.
I don't recommend vinegar on this occasion.
If it's in your garden or yard - get rid of it pronto.
Sylvia446
Sue I owe you an apology. Poison Ivy would seem to be found mainly in America. We don't have it here. I was wrong about thinking I couldn't recommend vinegar - my American neighbour tells me that she can remember her Mom using vinegar for the stinging.
|
|
|
Post by Sylvia on Aug 31, 2008 13:14:22 GMT -6
I love the fragrance from this vinegar and it tastes as good, if not better that it smells.
Rosemary and Garlic Balsamic Vinegar
10 5cm/2inch rosemary sprigs (washed, dried and leaves removed from the stems) 4 garlic cloves (split in half length-ways) 250ml/9fl oz Balsamic Vinegar
Place the rosemary leaves and the garlic in a clean jar or bottle. Heat the vinegar in a saucepan until there are bubbles around the edge of the pan. Remove from the heat and allow to cool a little, then pour into the jar or bottle with the leaves and garlic. When it is completely cool cover and store in a cool, dark place. Check occasionally to see whether the vinegar has reached the desired strength. Before using strain the vinegar through a fine sieve into clean jars or bottles. Add a fresh sprig of rosemary for decoration and cover again and store in a cool dark place.
Sylvia446
|
|
|
Post by Sylvia on Sept 1, 2008 8:48:06 GMT -6
Fresh Cut Flowers
If you like to have fresh flowers in your home, keep them looking good longer by adding two tbls of white distilled vinegar and one tbls of sugar to the vase of water.
This will also perk up droopy flowers.
Sylvia446
|
|
|
Post by suehorne5892 on Sept 1, 2008 10:19:49 GMT -6
Sylvia - do you have any hints for roses? Mine seem to droop and lose petals after cutting in only one day or is the above hint the obvious answer? Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by Sylvia on Sept 2, 2008 3:24:51 GMT -6
Morning Sue,
The only time I experienced extremely high temps was in Saudi Arabia. I don't remember ever seeing a rose never mind having some so I don't know how roses react in really high temperatures. I'll try and find out more information for you.
Meanwhile ditch whatever means you are using now and try the vinegar and sugar tip. If you have a vase of droopy roses, try re-cutting the stems at an angle, changing the water and add the vinegar/sugar mix.
I hope this helps. If I find anymore info I'll get back to you.
Sylvia446
|
|
|
Post by suehorne5892 on Sept 6, 2008 21:49:36 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by Sylvia on Sept 8, 2008 15:00:03 GMT -6
Evening Sue,
I'm probably getting the nickname of Vinegar Sylvia. It's a good site and one that I've not been on before.
Sylvia446
|
|
|
Post by Sylvia on Oct 4, 2008 14:35:49 GMT -6
We here in Scotland are nearing the end of our good salad days. I am eeking my garden produce out as much as I can. We had a tomato, spinach and green/spring onion salad with pork chops tonight. I made the following dressing
Balsamic dressing
6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil* 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar* pinch of maldon sea salt pinch of freshly ground black pepper
* Use your best
Put all the ingredients in a jar with a lid and shake, any leftovers will keep in the fridge for 1 week.
Sylvia446
|
|
|
Post by cherubaby on Nov 23, 2008 9:13:43 GMT -6
my vinegar trick is to peel off wallpaper..first remove the top part..don't worry the glued part will stay on the wall..spray full strenght vinegar on that paper residue and in about 3 minutes scrape off..easy and no glue residue left on wall either..clean and cheap and no chemical use is my way to go about it..i painted over no problems
|
|
|
Post by Sylvia on Nov 23, 2008 14:44:41 GMT -6
Hi Cherubaby,
Welcome to the message boards lovely to hear from you. Great tip and not one that I've heard of before.
If you want any information or recipes just let us know and someone will be there to try and help you.
Look forward to hearing from you again.
Sylvia446
|
|
|
Post by Sylvia on Dec 20, 2008 17:08:57 GMT -6
The first of the over indulgence starts tomorrow - so I suggested we have home-made Potato (tattie) and Leek Soup followed by Deep fried mozzarella with some kind of dressing and green leaf salad. It was the Grand Final of "Strictly Come Dancing" and I singed the soup, I have never, ever singed my soup before - and oh boy the DH made a point of letting me know that my famous soup was slightly singed. He has been invited to go and buy some cuppa soups - ahem. These guys think if they carve the Turkey on Christmas day that they are god's gift. They do do it well though! But it is definitely not a good day for cutting back the lettuce/salad leaves looked a bit droopy - it's not the 13th is it - no. I plunged the salad leaves into a bowl of cold water with a Tbsp of vinegar - back to the telly for 3 well maybe 7 minutes - and it worked. Lovely crisp leaves and gorgeous deep fried cheese. Unless you plan to cover the salad in a dressing - it would be a good idea to rinse the leaves and dry on kitchen roll before serving. I'm off to scrub my soup pot! Sylvia446
|
|