Helpful Hints
From Kathie and Friends

Select one of the following:

Make your own Organic Handy Wipes    (back to top)
You will need: paper towels (we like Seventh Generation brown, unbleached ones), a mild organic hand or dish soap (our favorite: Mrs Meyers Organic), distilled or spring water, a plastic container with tight-fitting cover or a zipper-lock-type baggie.

Fold your towels into the shape you desire for your container or baggie. Place these in your container and slowly add a 50/50 mixture of water and soap, which has been mixed well. If you desire a lighter soap effect, you can always use less soap, a couple of drops or so. Don’t make your towels too wet. Add just enough soapy water to make them "handy" for all sorts of uses. These work well for the car, picnics, personal hygiene, baby clean-ups, etc. Remember, you can change the amount of soap to water ratio for your needs. These are much safer than the store-bought, chemical-filled ones.

Make your own Pan/Pot Bottom Scraper (2 ideas)    (back to top)
You will need at least one of these two items. A flexible cake-decorator tool for flattening the icing on a cake. These are generally white and can be purchased from several stores. We like these better than the little pot scrapers because they are larger and are easier to hold. Or, you can use one of my favorites. However, if you have little children, please keep these out of their reach. Purchase a flat-type, single-edge razor-blade holder. We have several small ones made of neon-colored plastic. The blades can be changed quite easily. These are really good because the blade can get very close to the metal and scrape off burned on food or scorched milk. They also work well for cleaning hardened food from stove and counter tops. In order not to damage anything, be sure to keep your blade flat on the surface being cleaned. Many hardware stores carry these little blade holders. Also, you’ll want to purchase a pack of single-edge blades.

Renew Old Baskets    (back to top)
If you are anything like me, you have stacks of baskets in your kitchen or pantry for all sorts of uses. Many times these become old and shabby looking, but the weave of the basket is still pretty good. Instead of throwing these away, do the following: purchase a can(s) of spray paint in your favorite coordinating color(s) and some ribbon, fancy buttons, artificial silk flowers, or other do-dads and brighten up those unsightly containers. You can also purchase remnants of fabric, cut them in square or rectangular napkin shapes to fit the insides of the baskets. If you stitch the edges on your sewing machine, they will wash easily. These renewed baskets also make great gift holders.

Save your Glass Jars    (back to top)
With the serious problems of using plastics for food use, we have begun saving jars of various sizes with screw-type lids to store our foods and leftovers. They can be easily washed by hand or machine and are far less likely to cause bacterial problems, since glass is not porous. Also, Mason-type jars are great.

A safe travel treat - Bananas    (back to top)
Many times when we are out shopping, etc. and the time flies past a dinner bell, we begin looking around for something to munch on until we arrive home. However, for us, that can be a real problem. We do not eat store-bought snack foods, and it is hard to purchase fruits and veggies without having a place to wash them. The answer: A banana. The outside skin protects the "eater" from ingesting germs. The outside skin also makes a great "handle." As long as you teach your children to not peel the fruit all the way, it should even be an excellent travel food for your automobile.

Make your own Tooth Cleaner   (back to top)
This one is really easy. According to Dr. Gerald Judd, we should not be using toothpastes on our teeth. He says that they actually keep the teeth from re-enameling. He says that when we eat acidic foods, it eats at the enamel, then decay can set in. If we don’t allow our teeth to re-enamel, we can have a lot of problems. We have found this to be true by experimenting on our own teeth. He states that we should not even be using health food store brands as they also contain glycerin, which oils the teeth and keeps them from doing their work of rebuilding the enamel. His recommendation: Use bar soap. We use natural, homemade soap, which can either be made yourself or purchased at many health food stores. You want the old-fashioned kind that has a lye base, not glycerin. Most of the time it has no taste, so it won’t "gross you out." You will see a marked change in your teeth and the amount of cavities. Check out our Recommending Reading and Viewing section for Dr. Judd’s book reference.

Make your own Natural Deodorants    (back to top)
Most people think that antiperspirants and deodorants are the same thing, but they aren’t. Antiperspirants work by clogging, closing, or blocking the pores with powerful astringents such as aluminum salts so that they can’t release sweat. (Note that aluminum can accumulate in the brain.) Deodorants work by neutralizing the smell of the sweat and by antiseptic action against bacteria. Natural deodorants are preferable because they don’t interfere with sweating, a natural cooling process.

Baking Soda Simple Solution

Baking soda works wonders because it neutralizes the odor of sweat. Just sprinkle a light covering of baking soda onto a damp washcloth. Pat on. Don’t rinse. This tip:  just using baking soda has saved me on many occasions, especially when traveling.

Basic Deodorant Powder

1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
a few drops essential oils such as lavender or cinnamon

Place the ingredients in a glass jar. Shake to blend. Sprinkle a light covering of the powder on a damp washcloth. Pat on. Don’t rinse.

Basic Liquid Deodorant

1/4 cup each witch hazel extract, aloe vera gel, and mineral water
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
a few drops antibacterial essential oils such as lavender (optional)

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake to blend.
Makes 3/4 cup
Shelf Life: Indefinite

Deodorant recipes compliments of Judi Toland of TN.

Dehydrate Your Own Food   (back to top)
Food dehydrating is easy and discountjuicers.com/dehydratingtimes.html has it all worked out for you.  Check them out!

Cook Food In a Wood-Fired Brick Oven   (back to top)
This is a cooking experience you won't forget.  FornoBravo.com has exciting recipes, how-to cook in, how-to build one, lots of photos and free downloadable books. They even sell cooking equipment.  If you love to experiment with something new in cooking, like the old-world taste, you'll love this site.

Bread Baking Problems??   (back to top)
Baking911.com is a great place to find helpful hints in the area of baking...especially breads.  Got a problem?  Don't worry.  They have the answer.

Canning Tomatoes An Easier Way  (back to top)
Some of you enjoy canning tomatoes and many will use the old-fashioned way of removing the skins and canning the entire tomato whole. Years ago, in desperation after receiving about 10 bushels of tomatoes as a gift, I discovered an easier way and it works really well. Unless you need "whole tomatoes," here is my fast way:  Wash tomatoes well. Halve them and remove top and bottom stems or ends. Halve those making four pieces total. Place these and others into a blender or VitaMix and crush to the consistency you want. I like mine with little bits of tomato.  Take the tomatoes and put them into a large pot. Once all tomatoes are finished and in the pot, cook the "crushed" tomatoes down until most of the liquid is gone or until it is at the consistency you are looking for.  At this point, you can hot-water-bath cure or cool and place in plastic freezer bags and freeze flat. Too keep accidents from happening in the freezer from leaky bags, I place all filled bags in a baking tray with sides, which is freezer proof. In this way, if a bag leaks, it will go in the tray and not all over the freezer.  These tomatoes can be used for everything from sauces to soups. They are wonderful!  For canning information please check the Ball Company Canning Book.

Waste Not, Want Not - Preserving Fresh Herbs  (back to top)
Have you ever purchased a bunch of fresh herbs only to have them turn to mush in the refrigerator? Here is an easy suggestion:  Set aside what you desire to use of the fresh herb. Since herbs only keep a few days, take note of this when dividing up your plants...some to use, some to store, some to dry. Wrap the part to be saved in a double amt of paper towel and then in a plastic bag with the air removed as you seal the bag. Refrigerate.

Next, you can quickly rinse the remaining herbs, shake them and throw them into a wire colander...the type that looks like window screen mesh. These have a lot of holes and make for better air circulation. Do not use strainers as they will only cause a rotting problem.

The herbs will have to be turned periodically to allow them to dry thoroughly. Within a week or less, you will find they are dry and brittle, but have not lost their color. At this point, crush or pull apart the leaves, throw out the stems (do all this on a paper towel) and place the herb in a clean, dry jar. Seal and store until ready to use.

I recommend this for basil, parsley, cilantro, celery leaves, thyme, sage, etc. Even mint will work. Then you can use it for a lovely mint tea. I used to go to the trouble of hanging the herbs, but two things happened...(1) it would take extra time so I would throw the entire bunch into a plastic bag and find them rotten in about a week or (2) I would forget they were hanging and dust would accumulate on them. Some would not clean well and became a "trash can" ornament.

Hope this helps with your herbs...whether you get them from the store or your garden.  Kathie

Waste Not, Want Not - Saving Cornstarch  (back to top)
I used to purchase that awful cornstarch made from genetically-modified corn, which is sold in most groceries. Then I wised up and purchased ORGANIC cornstarch...available from UNE co-op, Frontier co-op and possibly Breadbeckers.

It is much more costly because it is not genetically modified. So, I figured out a way to save the left over cornstarch when making gravy, etc. and it works. Here is what to do:  Mix up a tablespoon or 2 in a small bowl or cup with some tepid water. Stir well and keep it well mixed; cornstarch will settle to the bottom. Use this for thickening your gravy, soup, etc, by using a tablespoon at a time. Do not use this tablespoon for stirring your food or it will contaminate your cornstarch. Add the cornstarch to your recipe and stir for about one minute before adding more.

When finished, leave the cornstarch sit in the same bowl overnight. At this point, you can carefully pour off any excess water. Within a day or two the cornstarch will dry in the bottom of the bowl. Lightly tap the bowl and break up the dried cornstarch. It will break into small chunks. If you haven't contaminated it, you can add it back to the original jar. If it is contaminated, put it into another jar for use with a similar recipe.  Kathie

Waste Not, Want Not - Saving Steel Wool Pads  (back to top)
You can also save your soap pads after cutting and using, by placing it in a plastic bag and into your freezer. When frozen they will not rust and can be used a few more times if still soapy.  Bonnie Vazquez, FL

Toothpaste Recipes  (back to top)
Mix in sea salt with baking soda and add a little mint flavoring. You may add drops of water to the mix to aid in applying it to your toothbrush. Carol Barbour, NC

Also you can put an dry lemon or orange rind in a blender until its a fine powder and then mix it with sea salt and baking soda .  Carla

Seed Sprouting 101  (back to top)
Food Ready to Eat in Just a Few Days.  About 48 years ago, my step-grandfather taught me how to make sprouts using a very simple method. He believed that sprouts contained a lot of vitamins and minerals, much more than the adult plant. He ate them at every meal and he was always healthy, so he taught me to grow them so my family would be healthy also. 

Here is his method: 1. You will need a wide-mouth Ball or Mason-type jar. 2. Next obtain a piece of tulle fabric or other fabric netting to go over the top of the jar, plus a rubber band to hold it on. You can also use plastic window-screen material. Be sure the holes in the fabric or screen are small enough or tiny seeds like alfalfa will go right through. 3. You will need to purchase some sprouting seeds; they come in many types: sunflower, barley, buckwheat, alfalfa, broccoli, radish, cabbage and more. Be sure they are seeds for "sprouting" as some seeds for gardens are coated with poisonous chemicals. Also, be sure they are fresh. Old seeds do not sprout well. 4. You will need a bowl large enough to hold your jar, tilted sideways for drainage. 5. Take ½ to 1 tbls. of your seeds, depending on size, and put them into the jar. Add enough tepid water to cover the seeds. Cover your jar with the screen or fabric and attach the rubber band. Allow this jar to sit undisturbed overnight or for several hours during the day. A dark place is best, but you can cover it with a dark-colored towel. 6. Next, drain all water from the jar. The screen will allow the seeds to stay in, but the water to freely run out. Turn the jar upside down and prop it in the bowl at an angle so the remaining water can drip out into the bowl. 7. Every day you will have to rinse the seeds and drain again as in No. 6. Do this at least three times during the day. 8. In about 3-5 days, you should have wonderful sprouts. They are ready when two little leaves appear at the top of each sprout. Place these in a colander, rinse and allow to sit in the light of your room for several hours until they begin to "green up." This will give you some healthy chlorophyll in your sprouts. 9. Store the sprouts in a plastic container or zip-type bag. We place a few paper towels at the bottom of our container to catch extra moisture. Use these sprouts for soups, salads, sandwiches, stir-fries, nibble snacks or whatever. Use these up within a week, but don't forget to start another batch. Be careful not to allow them to rot. This is not healthy.

About 20 years ago, I learned about plastic sprouting lids. This eliminates the need for fabric or screen. They can be purchased from health food stores or online. Three lids of different screen sizes come on a card with all the instructions. They cost about $4 for the three. They screw right on to the wide-mouth jars.

And, about 15 years ago, a friend, who was tired of seeing jars all over my kitchen, introduced me to the Freshlife Automatic Sprouter. It is so much fun. My children love to see this machine work. It is made by the Tribest Corporation and can be found online or in some health food stores. Tribest can be found at www.tribest.com

This machine actually waters the sprouts all day with a little sprinkler, which brings water up from the bottom compartment. I only have to change the water once a day. I love this machine for many reasons: (1) it is simple to use (2) it takes up less space than all of my jars (3) I can make a lot more sprouts (4) I don't have to remember to change the sprout water several times a day (5) my children can watch the sprouts grow each day.

So, here's to happy sprouting and a healthier life. Whichever way you choose to "sprout," you will find the end results to be a wonderful addition to many of your favorite dishes. And, be sure to use this as a teaching tool for your children. They will really enjoy the "science" behind sprouting.

Poison Ivy/Oak Solution  (back to top)
Our son Luke had poison oak when he was small. The Drs gave him medication to no avail. someone told us to use Lava soap and let it dry on the area before rinsing it off. It worked. The poison oak left fairly quickly. Hope this will work on your ivy problem as well. Good look with you wedding. Judy in GA

Bee/Hornet Sting Cure  (back to top)
A couple of weeks ago I was unfortunate enough to get stung by both a bee and hornet while working in the garden.  My arm swelled up, so off to the doctor I went. The clinic gave me cream and an antihistamine. The next day the swelling was getting progressively worse so off to my regular doctor I went.  Infected arm - needed an antibiotic. What was interesting is what the Dr. told me. The next time you get stung put a penny on the bite for 15 minutes. I thought, wow next time (if there ever is one) I will try it.  Well that night my niece got stung by two bees. When she came over to swim I looked at the bite and it had already started to swell. So off I went to get my money. Taped a penny to her arm for 15 minutes. The next morning, there was no sign of a bite. Wow were we surprised.  Well guess what happened again on Saturday night. I was helping my sister deadhead her flowers and guess what? You are right I got stung again two times by a hornet on my left hand. Was I ticked. I thought, here I go again having to go to the doctor for yet another antibiotic.  Well I promptly went into the house, again got my money out, and taped two pennies to my bites and then sat and sulked for 15 minutes. The penny took the string out of the bite immediately. I still wasn't sure what was going to happen. The next morning I could only see the spot where he had stung me.  No redness, no swelling. Just wanted to share the marvelous information in case any of you are experiencing the same problem at home. We need to have a stock of pennies on hand at school and at home.  The Dr. said somehow the copper in the penny counteracts the bite. I would never had believed it. But it definitely does work.  Marie

Assorted Helpful Hints  (back to top)

Helpful Hints Easy Deviled Eggs
Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done. Easy clean up.

Newspaper weeds away
Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers & put layers around the plants overlapping as you go; cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

Broken Glass
Use a dry cotton ball to pick up little broken glass pieces of glass - the fibers catch ones you can't see!

No More Mosquitoes
Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

Squirrel Away
To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

Easier Thank You's
When you throw a bridal/baby shower, buy a pack of thank you cards for the guest of honor. During the party, pass out the envelopes and have everyone put their address on one. When the bride/new mom sends the thank you's, they're all addressed!

Stolen Bicycle
If you purchase a new bike for your child, place their picture inside the handle bar before placing the grips on. If the bike is stolen and later recovered, remove the grip and there is your proof who owns the bike.

Flexible vacuum
To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum hose end. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

Reducing Static Cling
Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and - viola - static is gone.

Measuring Cups
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill it with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry the cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Foggy Windshield
Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

Reopening Envelope
If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.

Hair Conditioner for Shaving Legs
Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's a lot cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair...

Good-bye Fruit Flies
To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass fill it 1/2" with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dishwashing liquid, mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

Get Rid of Ants
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it "home," & can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, esp. if it rains, but it works & you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!
From Judi in TN