Very Vinegary Household & Health Ideas

- Beth Beauchemin (Read About Beth)

Happy New Year!  We’re almost done the first month, and I have to say, so far so good!  No major snowstorms to battle, (fairly) mild temperatures, and we even had a smooth transition back into regular life after 3 weeks of time with one set of grandparents or the other!

I can’t really say that I’ve made any ground-breaking resolutions, or that I’ve made any, actually!  It is more of a “continue on the same track making small changes to improve my life” type of thing.  So, I don’t have anything big to share with you on that front.

What did inspire me over the holidays, however, was a book that my sister-in-law received as a present.  I was so inspired, in fact, that I borrowed it before she had a chance to read it and copied out all the important parts!  What magical book is this, you ask?   Vinegar – a sour tasting liquid containing acetic acid, 1001 practical household uses OK, so maybe that makes me a total geek so be SO loving the vinegar, but what is so bad about loving this magical substance that does everything from disinfect your house to cure hangovers?  (Ah hah, now you’re interested too, admit it!)  I’ve know I’ve written in the past about using white vinegar as a simple, inexpensive, and extremely effective household cleaner.  Since you may well be in the same boat as me after the holidays (anyone else trying to hide from their visa bill?), I’m sure you can appreciate some of these money saving ways to keep the house (and you!) clean and germ free.

Magical vinegar recipes…….

Cleaning

• To replace Ajax/Comet….. equal parts salt and flour, and add just enough vinegar to make a paste.
• To replace all those toxic insect repellants – equal parts water and vinegar
• To eliminate that yucky smell on dish cloths (my personal pet peeve!) – soak overnight in equal parts vinegar and water.  Rinse thoroughly before use.
• To replace Jet Dry or another rinse aid – (everyday) – 1/4cup vinegar in rinse aid dispenser.
• To disinfect – full strength vinegar
• To thoroughly clean Thermos/flask/decanter – fill with warm water, 1/4 cup vinegar, and some uncooked rice.  Close, shake/swirl, then rinse and dry.

Health and Beauty

Allow me to say…. apple cider vinegar apple cider vinegar apple cider vinegar!!!   What doesn’t it do!

There are MANY ways to take a.c.v., but one of the easiest (I’ve found) is to take a tablespoon “shot” first thing in the am, then chase it with a HUGE glass of water.  (Yes, I still think it tastes disgusting, but it gets better with time!)  If you absolutely can’t handle the taste, you can now buy it in capsule form.  Phew!  According to anecdotal and natural medicine beliefs, apple cider vinegar:

• Acts a purifier, detoxifies many organs and blood stream.
• Helps breaks down deposits and promotes health of organs such as bladder/kidneys/liver.
• Prevents excess alkaline in urine.
• Helps thin blood.
• Promotes proper digestion.
• “may” neutralize toxic substances.
• high in potassium, helping with sinus troubles,excess mucus, tooth decay, unhealthy fingernails, and watery eyes.
• Pectin (a component of the vinegar) aids with constipation (1t/day to aid digestion)
• And my favourite!!!  As a hangover  cure – soak cloth in apple cider vinegar and place on forehead to stop hangover headaches

If you have any uses to add the list (or questions about anything I’ve listed), please feel free to send me an email – beth[at]fitfamily[dot]ca.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Have a wonderful start to 2010!!!