Preparedness Helpful Hints

*	add cinnamon to some vinegar and microwave for a quick potpourri
*	put on hands to remove fishy odors
*	add a teaspoon to the water when cooking rice to make it fluffier
*	when hand washing dishes, add vinegar to the rinse water for spot free glassware and china
*	window cleaner - mix 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoons cornstarch in a bucket of warm water. Apply with a sponge and remove with a squeegee. If you don't have a squeegee, use black and white newsprint followed by dusting with a soft brush or duster.
*	drain cleaner - pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Add 1 cup white vinegar and follow with boiling water. Flush with cold water for 1-2 minutes.

Vaseline

*	lip gloss
*	conditions nails and cuticles, hands and feet
*	removes eye make up
*	helps sticky drawers slide smoothly (wax works too)
*	removes water marks on wood furniture
*	cleans marks off shiny vinyl handbags and shoes

Baking Soda

*	play clay - mix 2 cups baking soda with one cup cornstarch. Blend and add 1 1/4 cups of cold water and mix until smooth. Boil one minute to consistency of moist mashed potatoes. Stir constantly. Spoon out onto a plate. Cover with damp cloth and cool. Knead lightly and roll out on waxed paper. Cut out designs with cookie cutter, bottle caps, or shape by hand. Etch in patterns. Let dry until hard about 24-48 hours. Paint with tempera or water colors. Dry. Coat with clear shellac or clear nail polish. Mount pins, clips with white glue.
*	baking soda may be used as a scouring powder, deodorizer, bath refresher
*	3. Baking Soda Toothpaste – mix 1 tablespoon salt and 5 tablespoons baking soda. Add 6 – 9 drops of oil of peppermint or wintergreen and mix well. Label and keep in a tightly covered jar. To use pour a small amount of powder into the palm of your hand, then wet toothbrush and rub bristles into the powder.
*	4. Baking Soda Mouthwash – dissolve 2 teaspoons salt and 2 teaspoons baking soda in 1 quart of boiling water. Add 10 drops of oil of peppermint, wintergreen or cloves. Label jar.

Salt

*	discourage grass from growing between walkway bricks by sprinkling salt in the crevices
*	when oven spills occur, pour salt on them immediately. When cool, wipe up burned food more easily. This also works on spilled grease or an egg dropped on the kitchen floor
*	salt, combined with lemon juice removes brass tarnish; it also removes berry stains from hands
*	make nose drops for a stuffy nose by mixing 1/2 teaspoon salt with 1 cup water
*	play dough 1 cup flour, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup salt, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar. Stir in a heavy pan with a mixer. Color with food coloring. Stir until absolutely smooth. Cook on low heat until ball forms. While cooking stir constantly. After ball forms, remove from stove and knead until consistency desired. When cool, store in an airtight container.
*	To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hardboiling
*	If you accidentally over salt a dish; while it’s still cooking drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant fix me up.

LEMON JUICE

*	Salt, combined with lemon juice removes brass tarnish; it also removes berry stains from hands.
*	Lemon juice helps to take away fish smell from your hands.
*	To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing.

Vanilla

*

A teaspoon of VANILLA to a gallon of reconstituted milk will often convince finicky drinkers to drink powdered milk

Egg Substitute In Baking

*	combine 1 tsp. unflavored gelatin with 3 tsp. cold water & 2 Tbsp plus 1 tsp. boiling water to equal 1 egg.
*	2. If making a meatloaf, use 1/3 cup applesauce per pound of meat instead of an egg.

ALKA SELTZER

*	Clean a toilet with alka seltzer. Drop in two alka seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action cleans vitreous china.
*	Clean a vase – to remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two alka selzer tablets.
*	Polish jewelry – drop two alka seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.
*	Clean a thermos bottle – fill the bottle with water, drop in four alka seltzer tablets and let soak for an hour (or longer if necessary).
*	Unclog a drain – clear the sink drain by dropping three alka seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of white vinegar – wait a few minutes, the run the hot water.

MORE HELPFUL HINTS:

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

2. Use a meat baster to “squeeze” your pancake batter onto the hot griddle and you’ll get perfectly shaped pancakes every time.

3. To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.

4. To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling.

5. Run your hands under cold water before pressing rice krispies treats in the pan and the marshmallow won’t stick to your fingers.

6. To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under you palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing.

7. To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover the bottom of the pan, and bring to a boil on stove top.

8. Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won’t be any stains.

9. When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won’t be any white mess on the outside of the cake.

10. If you accidently over salt a dish; while it’s still cooking drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant fix me up.

11. Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

12. Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish softening it.

13. When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.

14. To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh; but if it rises to the surface, throw it away.

15. Cure for headaches: take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

16. If you have a problem opening jars: try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non slip grip that makes opening jars easy.

17. Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water.

18. To ger rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.

19. Ants, ants, ants everywhere...they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.

20. Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.

21. When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.

*	Grind wheat finer, if you want a lighter loaf of bread
*	Rise bread til double in size, DO NOT over rise your bread
*	Always cut the dough, DO NOT tear the dough
*	Let air get around your pans when baking, DO NOT put the pans too close together in the oven
*	Use only the amount of flour recommended in the recipe, DO NOT add too much flour. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
*	Knead your dough for 10 minutes
*	Old wheat may make heavier loaves of bread
*	Poor grade of flour makes poor bread. Use good flour.
*	1,000 milligrams of Vitamin C added to 100% whole wheat bread recipes will make a much lighter bread. It is a natural dough conditioner.
*	DO NOT have your water TOO HOT or TOO COLD for your yeast. You do not want to kill the yeast or make it so that the yeast can not grow.

1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold the peroxide in your mouth for 10 minutes then spit it out. Do this daily for oral hygiene. It also helps with canker sores. Or mix peroxide and water in a glass and swish the mixture in your mouth.
2. Soak your toothbrush in peroxide to keep them free of germs
3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to keep them free of germs. 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. Spray 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on your toes every night and let dry. Helps with fungus
6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for 5 - 10 minutes several times a day.
7. Fill a spray bottle with 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. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.
11. 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.
12. Use peroxide to clean mirrors. There is no smearing.

1. If you want a quick fix for flagging energy levels there is no better snack than a banana. Containing three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose – combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.
2. Research has proved that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90 minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes. But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions making it a must to add to your daily diet.
3. Anemia - high in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia
4. Blood pressure – this unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect food for helping to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
5. Brain Power – 200 students at a school were helped through their exams by eating bananas at breakfast, break and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils mare alert.
6. Constipation – High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
7. 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 trypotophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin known to make you relax, improve our mood and generally make you feel happier.
8. Hangovers – one of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
9. Heart-burn – Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body so if you suffer from heart-burn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
10. Morning sickness – snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
11. Mosquito bites – before reaching for the insect bit cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
12. Nerves – Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods such as bananas every two hours to keep levels steady.
13. PMS – Forget the pills, eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
14. Ulcers – The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chroniculcer cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
15. Temperature control – many other cultures see bananas as a “cooling” fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers.
16. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – Bananas can help
17. SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, trypotophan.
18. Smoking – bananas can also help people trying to give us smoking, as the high levels of Vitamin C, A1, B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
19. Stress – Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body’s water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, there by reducing our potassium levels. These can be re-balanced with the help of a high potassium banana snack.
20. 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%.
21. Warts – Those keen on natural alternatives swear that, if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a surgical tape.

1. For more volume in egg whites, let stand in room temperature before beating. Use a glass or metal bowl (not plastic) with a tapered bottom and wide top. (Egg whites expand six times when beaten, so make sure the bowl is large enough)
2. Lemon Juice may be substituted for vinegar in many salad and vegetable recipes. Just a squeeze makes vegetables taste livelier, too!
3. Here’s how to keep corn on the cob garden fresh for up to a week. Immediately husk the corn and remove silk. Then, place cobs in zip top plastic bags in between layers of paper towels that you have soaked in cold water. Refrigerate. When ready to cook, remove as many cobs as you need.
4. Make super-fine sugar by whirling granulated sugar in a blender or food processor until powdery.
5. Pancakes will brown just beautifully if you add 1 tablespoon of molasses to your butter.
6. Melt chocolate squares for recipes right in their wrappers in the microwave oven. (Be sure the wrappers are paper, not foil.) Then just scrape the melted chocolate into the mixing bowl.
7. Whenever cooking cabbage, put a piece of celery in the kettle to kill the cooking odor. There will be no cabbage smells in the house.
8. Before opening a canned ham, run hot tap water over the container for a few minutes – the ham will slip out easily.
9. For quick baked potatoes, first cook 3 minutes in the microwave, then 20 minutes at 375 degrees in a conventional oven to crisp the skins. (Remember to pierce the skins before microwaving!)
10. Dip fresh strawberries into sour cream or yogurt and roll in strawberry flavored gelatin granules for a tasty treat.
11. For a refreshing snack, combine 1½ cups orange juice, a peeled banana and a tray of ice cubes in a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy.
12. When celery loses it’s crispness, place it in a pan of cold water along with a sliced raw potato. Let it stand for a while and the celery will again be crunchy.
13. For fresh tasting frozen raspberries, thaw one pint of frozen berries in a syrup solution of 2 cups water to ½ cup granulated sugar. Drain and use immediately.
14. Freeze whole strawberries on a cookie sheet until firm, transfer to heavy plastic bags or 5 quart ice cream pails for storing.
15. If syrup is too sweet to suit you, make a fruit topping for pancakes, waffles or french toast. Place 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries in a small saucepan, mix over medium heat until thick and clear. Sweeten to taste, using artificial sweetener if desired.

STAIN REMOVAL

● KNOW YOUR ENEMY. The hot water that’ll banish berry stains will “cook” the protein in blood, making it impossible to remove.

● SPEED IS OF THE ESSENCE. The longer you wait, the tougher it is to remove.

● WHEN IN DOUBT, PATCH TEST. If you’ve never used a particular remedy, put a little of it on an inconspicuous corner of the item to be sure it doesn’t damage it.

● READ THE CARE LABEL. If it says, dry-clean only, do just that. You’ll likely create more of a mess trying to solve the problem yourself.

● TAKE IT EASY. Rubbing can spread the stain and possibly damage the item.