Hmeg's
Tips

For Soft Smooth Skin

For Mosquitoes

Pass this on to anyone who likes being out in the evening or is having a cook out. Here is a good thing for the summer, for those who like to sit enjoy the out of doors, but don't like those pesky mosquitoes. It was given at a gardening forum:

Put some water in a white dinner plate and add just a couple of drops of Lemon Fresh Joy dishwashing soap. Set the dish on a porch or patio. Not sure what attracts them, the lemon smell, the white color, or what, but mosquitoes flock to it, and drop dead, or fall into the water, or on the floor within about 10 ft. Works just super!

Enjoy the mosquito free summer!!!!

Vegetable Tips

Refrigerate corn in husks if it must be stored. The minute corn is picked, the sugar in its kernels begins to turn to starch.

Keep ripe tomatoes 2 or 3 days at room temperature. Do not refrigerate - cold lessens the flavor.

Refrigerate okra in a zip top plastic bag up to 3 days. Buy firm, brightly colored okra pods less than 4 inches long. Avoid ones dull in color, limp, or blemished.

Asparagus - The best time to buy asparagus is spring - although it can be found year round. When selecting spears- look for straight ones with tight purplish tips. This vegetable is best cooked the same day, but will keep three to four days in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Wrap tops with a damp paper towel, and submerge the base into water.

Carrots - Choose small, slender, firm carrots with bright color. When purchasing the root vegetable with tops - discard the green tops before storing in the refrigerator because they drain moisture from the carrots making them limp. Store carrots in a zip top plastic bag in the refrigerator's vegetable crisper. They will keep for several weeks, but will gradually lose their sweetness and firmness.

Fresh ginger - Look for a thick nubby root with pale brown skin in the produce section of your grocery store or Asian market. Both fresh ginger and ground ginger contribute a sweet hot flavor, but cannot be used interchangeably. Ginger "hands" come in a variety of sizes, and will keep 3 weeks in the vegetable crisper-
so buy only what you'll need. Peel ginger with a sharp knife or vegetable peeler. To release juices- smash with the edge of a knife after peeling.

Garlic - One garlic bulb contains approximately 18 cloves. Choose a bulb that is plump and firm. Individual cloves dry out quickly when removed from the bulb but continue to offer great flavor and still can be used. If cloves start to sprout - cut in half, and remove the sprouting core.

Green and red bell peppers - This mild variety of sweet peppers can be found year round, but the peak time is during the summer months. Green bell peppers are the most common, but when allowed to age, they turn red and take on a sweet flavor. Store peppers in your refrigerator vegetable bin for about two weeks. Red and green peppers can be used interchangeably.

Green onions - Also known as scallions, these young onions have a mild flavor and crisp texture. The dark green tops offer less flavor and more color than the white stem end. Use a combination of both the white and green portions in recipes. Store in a zip top plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Iceberg lettuce - Look for firm, round heads of lettuce with crisp outer green leaves. Avoid overly large heads, because the outer leaves and ribs will be tough. Before rinsing lettuce - discard bruised outer leaves, and twist out the core. Tear lettuce with your hands - do not use a knife. Store in a plastic bag in your refrigerator's vegetable crisper.

Mushrooms - Perishable mushrooms come in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and flavor profiles. Before using - wipe off with a damp paper towel, or use a clean toothbrush to remove all grit on tops and underneath gills. Keep mushrooms in the refrigerator for one to two days on a baking sheet covered with plastic wrap. Save extra mushrooms by cooking them in butter first, and then freezing in an airtight container for 1 month.

New potatoes - New potatoes can be harvested anytime and are ideal for tossing with fresh vegetables or pan roasting. Cooking them in their skin helps preserve their nutrients. After boiling the skins, they peel off easily with a sharp paring knife.

Plum tomatoes - Also known as Roma tomatoes- this egg shape variety has fewer seeds and a more concentrated flavor. Their meaty texture makes them an excellent choice for sauces and Italian dishes. Keep ripe tomatoes at room temperature for a day, but refrigerate for longer storage. Eight roma tomatoes equal approximately 1 pound.

Radishes - Available year round - this vegetable's crunchy texture and peppery flavor make it ideal for salads. Remove leaves, trim tops and tips, and use within three to four days.

Romaine lettuce - These dark green leaves have a slightly bitter flavor and crunch - making them perfect for salads using a combination of other greens. Choose full dark green leaves on the outside that lighten to white in the center.

Squash - These vegetables are divided into two categories- summer and winter. Zucchini and yellow squash are examples of summer squash with soft skins, edible seeds, and a mild flavor. Winter squash includes hard shelled butternut and acorn. Summer squash is available year round and can be used for boiling, baking, and frying. Select small pieces, and refrigerate 1 week in the vegetable crisper.

Sweet potatoes - Colors vary from tan to brownish red. Choose potatoes that are chunky, and medium size that taper towards the ends. When baking sweet potatoes- purchase all uniform size potatoes for even baking. Sweet potatoes are poor keepers- store in a dark humid place for 2 weeks

tips...that include food product's...lol

Gardening: When starting your garden seedlings indoors plant the seeds in eggshell halves. Simply crack the shells around the roots of your plants & transplant them outdoors-the shell is a natural fertilizer!

Another use for Baking Soda - make a paste by mixing a small amount of baking soda with a little bit of water in your hands for an excellent skin exfoliator. Great for dry skin on face, feet & elbows. Also good for skin irritations.

To fill a plastic baggie with liquid items, first put the baggie into a drinking glass. This way the baggie has support while pouring. Save the snap top lids of your toothpaste tube. Wash & reuse on the next tube. Sometimes you can get toothpaste really cheap & the snap top lids keep the paste in the tube.

To clean your microwave, place a (microwave safe) cup of water with a teaspoon of baking soda in it. Run microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove cup and wipe out inside of microwave with a damp cloth.

Wishbone® Thousand Island Dressing:

Remove a ring stuck on a finger. Smear on some Wishbone Thousand Island Dressing and slide the ring off.
Remove white rings and spots from wood furniture. Wipe on Wishbone Thousand Island Dressing, let stand for an hour, and wipe off.
Remove tar. Spread a teaspoon of Wishbone Thousand Island Dressing on tar, rub, and wipe off. Are you sure you want to eat something that doubles as a solvent for TAR!!!
Remove dried glue and gum left from price tags and labels from glass, metals, and most plastics. Apply Wishbone Thousand Island Dressing and wipe clean. Back to the solvent again !!! if it dissolves glue and tar.. WHAT is it doing to your stomach ??
Treat minor burns. Rub Wishbone Thousand Island Dressing into the burn. Let it set, then wipe off.
Soothe sunburn and windburn pain. Use Wishbone Thousand Island Dressing as a skin cream.
Relieve itching from insect bites. Applying Wishbone Thousand Island Dressing over theaffected areas alleviates itching.
Polish wood surfaces. Squeeze Wishbone Thousand Island Dressing onto a soft cloth to clean and polish natural wood.
Lubricate pipe joints. Wishbone Thousand Island Dressing works as a lubricant for fitting pipe joints together.
Remove candle wax from wood or Formica furniture. Rub a dollop of Wishbone Thousand Island Dressing to remove candle wax from wood or Formica.
Pry apart two bowls or glasses. Dribble a few drops of Wishbone Thousand Island Dressing down the sides, then slip the bowls or glasses apart.

Johnson & Johnson® Baby Powder:
Repel ants. Sprinkle Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder in cracks, along a window sill, or under doors where ants enter. Ants will not walk through baby powder.
To put on plastic gloves easily - Sprinkle Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder inside the gloves.
Give your dog a dry shampoo. Rub Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder into your dog's fur, wait a few minutes, then brush out.
Editors note: This you do immediately before the dog decides to go lie on the new dark colored sofa!!!
Cure a squeaky floor board. Sprinkle Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder into the crevices along the edges.
Hide a stain on a white suit. Rub Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder into the stain. Clean grease from walls. Sprinkle Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder on a soft cloth and rub the spot until the grease disappears.
Keep shoes and sneakers dry and comfortable. Dust the insides with Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder.
Prevent sticky sheets on a hot, summer night. Sprinkle Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder between the sheets to absorb perspiration.
Give your hair a dry shampoo. Work Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder into your hair, then brush out.
Prevent white shirts from absorbing oil and grime. Lightly sprinkle Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder on the shirt before and after ironing.
Clean sand off wet skin. Sprinkle Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder on skin to remove moisture, and the sand virtually fall off by itself.
Untangle a chain necklace. Dusting the chain with Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder will make it easier to untangle.
Soften rough hands. Apply Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder as you would hand lotion.
Prevent friction burns when shaving your legs with an electric razor. Dust legs lightly with Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder before shaving.

Bathroom: For a clogged showerhead, soak in vinegar & water.
To clean your shower curtain, throw into wash with bath towels, and add a cup of vinegar to the normal wash.
To clean your glass shower doors, Clean soap scum with a cloth & warm vinegar.

Easy-Off® Oven Cleaner:
Not just for your oven any more...
Clean an aged cast-iron skillet or pot---Spray with Easy-Off Oven Cleaner, let sit for ten minutes, then wash thoroughly.
Clean badly stained Pyrex or Corningware dishes--Wearing rubber gloves, spray the dishes with Easy-Off Oven Cleaner, place inside a garbage bag, close it securely with a twist tie, and let stand overnight. Open the bag outdoors, keeping your face away from the fumes. Rinse the dishes with a garden hose, then wash thoroughly.
Remove paint from metal lawn furniture or wooden picture frame---spray with Easy-Off Oven Cleaner, let sit for ten to fifteen minutes, then spray with the highest pressure from the nozzle of a
garden hose.
Clean a curling iron encrusted with mousse, gel or other hair products---When the curling iron is completely cool, spray with Easy- Off Oven Cleaner, let sit, then wipe clean.
Clean oil and grease stains on driveways---Spray one or two applications of Easy-Off Oven Cleaner, let sit for a few minutes, then rinse with the highest pressure from the nozzle of a garden hose.
Clean stains from stainless steel--Apply Easy-Off Oven Cleaner, let sit for a few minutes, then rinse well.
Remove black burn marks from pots and pans--Heat pot or pan, spray with Easy-Off Oven Cleaner, let sit for thirty minutes, then rinse and scour clean.
Clean a stubborn stain from a window--Spray the glass with Easy-Off Oven Cleaner. Wait several minutes, then wipe clean.

More Tips

Easy Deodorizer - Plain tap water with several drops of essential oil in it. (Your choice, lavender, vanilla, etc) About 15 drops for a 32-ounce spray bottle. When needed, simply mist the air.
Good Use for Vodka - Just mix water and vodka in a 1:1 ratio and spritz it right on. Works as well as commercial products like Febreeze. It evaporates quickly, leaving no alcohol-scent behind.

The Fake Febreeze Recipe
2 C. Fabric Softener
2 C. Baking Soda
4 C. warm water
Mix and place in a spritzing bottle. Use just like you would the expensive Febreeze from the store. If you want, you can use the unscented fabric softener and then add a few drops of essential oil to make it a scent that you prefer. I just use Snuggle.

Vinegar and Baking Soda - Vinegar in a spray bottle. Dogs don't like the smell either and
will avoid most areas it is sprayed. Ditto for cats. Vinegar in an open dish will also improve the smell in a room.
Sprinkle your carpets with baking soda and let it sit for a while before vacuuming. This will rid carpets of a lot of odors. Try it on your upholstered furniture. Make sure you have a good vacuum cleaner first. It shouldn't hurt the fabric but who wants a residue of white stuff on their clothes. Use at your own risk!!!

More tip's using food item's