Foamy Stain Remover

So, it's been a good two months and then some since I have been on here.  All I can say is that I have been doing A LOT of baking with a very BUSY two year old on my hands!!  I've ran across so many things that I have wanted to share, and I am really going to make an effort to post those fabulous things more...seriously.

With that out of the way, I now have to share a great product for stain removal, and it's something that almost all of us have in the house.

YEP,  Shaving Cream...who would of  thought??  Being that this product consists of mostly soap, a whipped soap, it really helps to lift a fresh stain off of your clothes. Moisten the spot with the stain, work some shaving cream into/onto the affected area and then rinse with cool water or use a clean wet cloth to rub it out.  If it doesn't lift it all, the shaving cream will at least help the stain from setting in until you can apply a stronger remover.

Isn't it amazing to think that there are many things in our homes that are multipurpose?  Yet,  many of us don't even realize it...I know I don't!!

                                                        To a fabulous day, all!  

                                              May you be blessed, 
                                           

                                                            

Keeps on giving.

 

 

Baking Soda is a product most of us have in our kitchens that serves many purposes.  From baking, to teeth whitening, to exfoliating, this inexpensive product is worth ever penny.  Not only does a little go a long way, but it can provide so many uses for us.

Another use I just learned about with baking soda, while reading 'Real Simple', is for cleaning pans with crusted food on them from casseroles and such. 

To use: Sprinkle some over the pan with a light amount of water, let sit for 5 minutes and then scrub it clean.  It's also much softer on your hands than AJax!


Be grateful to the Lord for all you have~

                                                                     ALC

It's not just for flavor.

Want a great home remedy for healing headaches?  This spice has been proven in my household, & many others, (so I've read) to treat headaches, and for some even migraines.  Cinnamon.  Yes, something most of us have on hand on our spice racks or in our cabinets.  It only takes about a half of a teaspoon to do the trick.  So, you can sprinkle it on top of some honey or peanut butter (just go for it with a quick spoonful), mix it with some orange juice or even heat some milk up and mix it in with the milk.  I personally like to make some tea, add some evaporated milk and then sprinkle the cinnamon on top of that.  The tea is yummy and the cinnamon aids in helping that headache go away.  Try it the next time you have a headache and see.  It has worked for my husband and I both, but I am not saying that this will be the case for everyone.  It's worth trying, in my opinion.  Hope it works for you!

Some other good little tips to know with cinnamon are that it will also give antioxidant properties that keep cells safe from oxidative stress and dangerous free radicals (antioxidants help fight such diseases as cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and Parkinson's), and it helps fight against cardiovascular problems. Also, because of it helping insulin work better, cinnamon also helps lower blood sugar levels which is good for those at risk for diabetes.  Some studies have shown that it may even help prevent Alzheimer's.

My point?  Add a about a 1/2 a teaspoon of cinnamon to your diet a day, or even 4 days a week and you will be doing your body good.

Some other ways to add this spice to your diet include:

*Adding it as a topping to your toast over peanut butter, or with butter and a little bit of sugar.
* Sprinkle some on over your hot oatmeal.
*Add some into your juice, tea or coffee.
*Sprinkle it over the top of some fresh fruit...like apples.
*Snack on some crackers with honey and cinnamon.


All right, you get the point.  BTW, write me a comment if you have tried it, or do try it, and it works for you.


Make it a GREAT day:)

ALC

Lime + Salt

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A great natural disenfectant for your cutting boards and counter tops is lime & salt. The acid in the lime helps to kill the bacteria while the salt creates a gritty texture to work as a scrub. 

To use:  Sprinkle salt through out surface of cutting board.  Slice lime in half (slice the lime almost half way then twist the top off of the lime) and then squeeze a little bit of juice over the area.  Take the lime and use the open side face down to rub over the salt through out the surface of the cutting board.  Just as you would with a soap and sponge.  I always wash my cutting board afterwards too, but this is just an extra step in helping to kill bacteria, especially after cutting meat.

**Lime is also great for taking the smell off of your hands after preparing fish, or eating it.  Learned that out here in Panama.  I have yet to see a person not douse their hands with fresh lime after preparing fish.

Try it.

ALC

Sábila

Sábila, or in English aloe vera, has recently become one of my best friends.  My daughter occasionally gets eczema from the chemicals in pools on her face, shoulders and back.  They always seem to be too drying for her sensitive skin.  It never seems to fail that whenever we first go to the pool, a day later she has the rash, itchiness, red bumps, and then peeling.  Once it peels, she has some discoloration and then with a tan, it makes the discoloration that much more noticeable.  Not so fun when it is on your face.  I have always applied small amounts of 1% hydro-cortizone to the affected areas, along with giving her some Benydrol or Cloro-Trimeton before hitting the pool up.  Well, thank God one of my good friends out here ( big shout out to Caroline)  recommend that I start using pure aloe vera.  She told me how well it worked on her son, who also use to get eczema, and that it would help with the itching and scratching, along with restoring the smooth texture back to the skin....she was right.  While the cortizone always helps, it is a form of a steroid so you have to be careful with too much application.  I now have an alternative, natural at that, and it works wonders.  I highly recommend this for one's skin.  It smooths, moisturizes, restores and calms.  Here is a list of other things that you can use this natural plant product for:

• Through out your face, i.e. under your eyes, dry skin, t-zone balance....
• For cuts and burns
• Apply to the ends of your hair for regenerative treatments 
• To shave with
• Apply for moisture and smoothness after shaving
• Apply to sunburns
• Diaper rash burns
• Apply to your tan to prolong it
• Remove make-up
• Replace your lotion with in humid climates (lotion makes you sweat more in humidity!)

I have also been using this for my belly during this pregnancy to help with the itching (from growing these last couple weeks that I have left) and to help with stretch marks.  I feel like it has done me well. 

Obviously most of us are not going to go and grow our own aloe vera plant, so I recommend this pure form of it that you can buy at most drug stores.

Bioland- organically grown Aloe Vera Gel


**I would love to hear feed back on how this product works for you, or if you have any other recommendations for use of this plant.  So, drop me a quick comment (especially if you wish to pass some more info. on to other readers) or e-mail me. 


Dios te bendiga

ALC



-note: this is for external use only, always consult a doctor first and read the back of the bottle for any warning signs.

Green & Yellow

Besides adding some flavor to a cold glass of water, or looking pretty hanging off the side of one, or having some nice cold lemonade/limeade (love those), there are actually many things in which theses sour fruits are great for. They both can aid in many ways in mainting your health and curing things such as sore throats, fevers, and bacteria on the skin (will talk about the last one in another posts). Lime's definitely work better for killing the bacteria, (that goes for counter tops too) but lemons are just as effective when in need of some healing with an annoying cold, sore throat, or fever.

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If you are beginning to feel that scratchiness that you know will shortly be followed by a sore throat, then might I suggest (only suggesting...consult a doctor first) taking a tablespoon full of honey with some fresh squeezed lime or lemon juice on it every two to three hours. I would do this for a good three days. You will be surprised at the results. Being that I am prego, my doc. (and neighbor and just about everybody else down here) advised me to do so since I can't take any meds. I did this while also drinking lots of water. The sore throat/cold never went any further. I have been an avid user of this combo for a while now, but when I soley used it (since I can't take anything else being prego) for my throat ( along with a TON of water) I really saw the effectiveness. This is great for kids too. Sometimes we rush them into cough syrup so quickly, and it is worth giving this natural ingredient a shot first. I am not saying this will always work, or that you shouldn't go to the doctor. Yes, if you are concerened, then get your butt in to your doc. However, I am suggesting a great natural remedy that might do the trick for you before having to turn to medicine. It is also a fantastic aid with your medicine, so if anything you'll feel better faster. I believe it's worth trying safe natural remedies on your body. Use good discernment though...that of course goes with anything.

Also, give yourself some nice hot lemon tea at least twice daily. I sugest either straight lemon/lime juice (fresh), or mix half and half with either some tea or some water. This helps whip your cold into shape as well.

Keep the fever down by adding three cap fulls of fresh squeezed lime juice, a cap full of vinegar and a bowl ice water. Dip your wash cloth in so it is nice and COLD. Apply to your forehead, chest and back of neck. My mother-in-law always suggests this and I have to say that it is a nice alternative to sticking your child in a cold shower, or you having to hop in there yourself.

• Tip: To get the most effectiveness out of the tartness along with the acid of the lemon/lime only slice it half way through the middle and then twist the rest of it off. One of my husbands friends that grew up on a farm gave him that advice when bringing us a bag of limes.

ALC

Stain no more.

Many already have heard this, and I can confirm this myself now that I am an avid user, hydrogen peroxide solution really does work as a natural remedy with whitening your teeth. I am a daily coffee, or sometimes tea, drinker and have had problems with staining from these beverages. This is a great solution to help with the staining as well as mainting some other problems that you may be dealing with in your mouth such as:

• Strengthens teeth
• Helps to heal and minimize canker sores
• Helps with the healing of cuts in the mouth

To use: Rinse mouth with a cap full of hydrogen peroxide (after brushing), once a day (or every other day), for 30 secs. DO NOT SWALLOW. After use, lightly rinse mouth out with water (rinsing and spitting the water out). You can also use a little on your tooth brush before brushing for added protection.

A couple of other things that this home product is good for are:

• Soak and wash your vegetables & fruits in to kill bacteria
• Soak your tooth brushes in for a minute to kill bacteria (rinse with water for a minute afterward)

As with anything, use this product in moderation and never swollow this product. It is for external use only, as it is a disinfectant. It is also a product that kills all bacteria (meaning the good bacteria also) and that is why I use it every other day vs. every day. Keep a balance.

*People with braces might find this helpful as well for the staining of the brackets with certain foods. Apply the same usage, and see if it helps.

Smiling always makes your day better, so might as well do it with confidence and some pearly whites!

Pase un buen dia....

ALC