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Uses of Cucumber
sưu tầm
source:__http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/uses-of-cucumber-1592414.html#ixzz1MAOARfe0
sưu tầm
source:__http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/uses-of-cucumber-1592414.html#ixzz1MAOARfe0
1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.
2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.
3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.
4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminium to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.
5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the photochemical in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!
6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!
7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.
8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.
9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!
10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.
11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the photochemical will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.
12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.
13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls
13 ways to use cucumbers
By Melissa Breyer
source:__http://green.yahoo.com/blog/care2/26/13-ways-to-use-cucumbers.html
By Melissa Breyer
source:__http://green.yahoo.com/blog/care2/26/13-ways-to-use-cucumbers.html
Ah the humble cucumber ... maybe someone will make some pickles, maybe Mom will slice off a few rounds for her tired eyes ... but really, aside from that, what is a cucumber's claim to fame? Actually, the cucumber is a pretty amazing piece of work, both in the kitchen and in the bathroom where it can perform a multitude of beauty tasks.
The flesh of the cucumber is mostly water, but also contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and caffeic acid, both of which help soothe skin irritations and reduce swelling -- these acids prevent water retention, which may explain why cucumbers applied topically are often helpful for swollen eyes, burns, and dermatitis.
Cucumbers are a great treat for the skin. They have the same pH as the skin so they help restore the protective acid mantle -- they also possess hydrating, nourishing, and astringent properties.
Cucumbers' skin is rich in fiber and contains a variety of beneficial minerals including silica, potassium, and magnesium. The silica in cucumber is an essential component of healthy connective tissue, which includes muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone.
Cucumber juice is often recommended as a source of silica to improve the complexion and health of the skin, plus cucumber's high water content makes it naturally hydrating -- a must for glowing skin.
Here are 13 easy ways to treat yourself right with the lovely cuke:
1. Make a cooling summer bath
Call me an old granny, but I love Epsom salt baths and their surprising health benefits. But do I love taking a bath in 95-degree weather? Not so much.
So I've devised a cooling Epsom salt bath that is the perfect antidote to a hot, stressy summer day. It's a bath that incorporates, ta da, cucumbers! Along with fresh mint, and a hit of floral essential oil. Mmmmm.
According to University of Maryland Medical Center, peppermint has has a soothing and cooling effect on skin irritations caused by hives, poison ivy, or poison oak; it reduces headache symptoms; and it can be used in the treatment of depression. (So if you're hot, itchy, depressed, and have a headache...)
To a tub of tepid water add 2 cups Epsom salt, stir in 1 sliced cucumber, a handful of torn peppermint leaves, and an optional 3 drops ylang ylang pure essential oil. Soak, be soft, and happy.
2. Soothe puffy eyes
This is one of the oldest tricks in the book. The high water content helps to hydrate tender skin in the eye region, while the chill of a refrigerated cucumber helps contract blood vessels in the area -- both effects combine to reduce swelling.
To use cucumbers as an eye treatment, grab a cold cucumber from the refrigerator and cut two thick slices. Find a comfortable place to relax and set the cucumbers over your closed eyes for about 10 to 15 minutes. I also like to grate the cucumber and just kind of pack it in.
3. Make a cucumber toner
This formula is inspired by one in the book Ecobeauty: Scrubs, Rubs, Masks, and Bath Bombs for You and Your Friends -- it is very mild and works well for all skin types. If you ever wake up feeling like your face is a little puffy, this toner is your best bet for calming and tightening your skin.
You'll need:
•1/2 cucumber with peel, chopped
•3 tablespoons witch hazel
•2 tablespoons distilled water
Put all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove all of the solids, then pour the toner into a clean bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Store this toner in the refrigerator for a longer shelf life -- it should last for several weeks.
To use, apply the toner to your face using a clean cotton ball.
4. Make a cucumber-avocado facial mask
The next two formulas are from the Cucumber Growers Association and are simple yet sumptuous treats for your face.
Ingredients:
•1/2 cup chopped cucumber
•1/2 cup chopped avocado
•1 egg white
•2 teaspoons powdered milk
Blend all the ingredients together until they form a smooth, paste-like consistency. The mask can either be used immediately or left in the fridge for half an hour first.
Massage 2 tbsp of the mask onto face and neck using circular upward motions. Relax for 30 minutes, or until the mask is dry. Rinse off with warm water, then follow with a cold water rinse. Pat dry.
5. Make a cucumber and yogurt mask
This one is good for combination skin. All you need is a 1/2 cucumber and 1 tablespoon of plain/natural yogurt. Puree the cucumber in a blender. Mix in the yogurt.
Apply all over face and neck. Relax for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, then follow with a splash of cold water.
6. Make a cucumber anti-blemish face mask
A recipe from the book, The Ultimate Natural Beauty Book by Jo Fairley.
Ingredients:
•1-inch chunk of cucumber
•1 drop rosemary essential oil
•1 egg white
Whizz the cucumber in a blender until it becomes completely liquid, then add the drop of rosemary essential oil. Whisk the egg white until stiff, fold in the cucumber mixture and smooth over the face avoiding the eyes and mouth area. Remove after 15 minutes using a clean, damp washcloth.
7. Refresh with a cucumber skin tonic
Chop 1 cucumber and puree in a blender with 4 tablespoons mint. Strain off the juice and store in the fridge. The tonic will keep for 24 hours in the fridge. To increase how long it lasts, add 1 teaspoon vodka.
8. Mix cucumber with honey to make a toner
This recipe is from the National Honey Board. Take 1 medium cucumber, peeled and cut up into pieces 2 teaspoon. Puree cucumber in a blender. Line a sieve with cheesecloth and set the sieve over a glass bowl or measuring cup. Pour the cucumber puree through the sieve and let it stand for 15 minutes for the juices to drip into the bowl. Pour the clear juice into a clean bottle and add honey.
To use, shake the bottle and saturate a cotton pad with the lotion. Sweep over face, neck, and chest morning and night, and let it air dry (about 3 to 4 minutes). Store toner covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes about 1/2 cup.
9. Condition chlorine-damaged hair
This conditioner is said to work wonders on hair damaged by routine swimming in chlorinated water.
Ingredients:
•1 egg
•1 tablespoon olive oil
•1 quarter of a peeled cucumber
Blend the egg, olive oil, and peeled cucumber. Spread evenly through your hair, leave on for 10 minutes, then thoroughly rinse.
For the best results year-round, continue this treatment monthly.
10. Make quick pickles
This recipe for quick crock pickles from Serving Up the Harvest (Storey, 2007) by Andrea Chesman, isn't quick in terms of brining time (two days to six weeks), but the preparation time is speedy indeed.
If you don't have cucumbers, get creative -- other vegetables such as cauliflower, carrots, or zucchini will make just as wonderful pickles!
After they have pickled, the vegetables can be stored for up to three months in the refrigerator, bringing a few flashes of summer greediness into the approaching cool weather.
11. Eat cucumber salads
You can add cucumbers to a tossed salad, but it's even better to make a salad of cucumbers.
I love to make chopped salads with a base of roughly chopped cucumbers mixed with whatever else I have that needs eating -- leftover-produce salads end up being some of the best because you end up with concoctions you may not have imagined otherwise, such as cucumber, jicama, and pear. Yum.
Cucumber Cashew Coleslaw
Dilled Cucumber and Sour Cream Salad
12. Make chilled soups
Because of their high water content, cucumbers make a great low-calorie and fresh-tasting base for chilled soups. The following four recipes are really great. (The Persian one includes walnuts and raisins ... very exotic.)
Chilled Cucumber-Mint Soup
Chilled Persian Cucumber Yogurt Soup
Chilled Cucumber Avocado Soup
Cucumber and White Grape Gazpacho
13. Try Cucumber Side Dishes
I love the snappy crunch of cucumbers mixed with grains in side dishes, these two are favorites:
Summery Couscous With Cucumber and Mint
Dilled Rice and Lentils With Creamy Cucumber Salad
Bên dưới là một số công dụng của BAKING SODA do Tứ Diễm sưu tầm trên mạng. Các bạn có thể thử xem hữu hiệu hay không nha
In the Kitchen
Clean your produce
You can't be too careful when it comes to food handling and preparation. Wash fruits and vegetables in a pot of cold water with 2-3 table-spoons baking soda; the baking soda will remove some of the impurities tap water leaves behind. Or put a small amount of baking soda on a wet sponge or vegetable brush and scrub your produce. Give everything a thorough rinsing before serving.
Tenderize meat
Got a tough cut of meat on your hands? Soften it up by giving it a rubdown in baking soda. Let it sit (in the refrigerator, of course) for three to five hours, then rinse it off well before cooking.
Soak out fish smells
Get rid of that fishy smell from your store-bought flounder filets and fish steaks by soaking the raw fish for about an hour (inside your refrigerator) in 1 quart (1 liter) water with 2 tablespoons baking soda. Rinse the fish well and pat dry before cooking.
Reduce acids in recipes
If you or someone in your family is sensitive to the high-acid content of tomato-based sauces or coffee, you can lower the overall acidity by sprinkling in a pinch of baking soda while cooking (or, in the case of coffee, before brewing). A bit of baking soda can also counteract the taste of vinegar if you happen to pour in a bit too much. Be careful not to overdo it with the soda, though -- if you add too much, the vinegar-baking soda combination will start foaming.
Bake better beans
Do you love baked beans but not their aftereffects? Adding a pinch of baking soda to baked beans as they're cooking will significantly reduce their gas-producing properties.
Fluff up your omelets
Want to know the secret to making fluffier omelets? For every three eggs used, add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Shhhh! Don't let it get around.
Use as yeast substitute
Need a stand-in for yeast when making dough? If you have some powdered vitamin C (or citric acid) and baking soda on hand, you can use a mixture of the two instead. Just mix in equal parts to equal the quantity of yeast required. What's more, the dough you add it to won't have to rise before baking.
Rid hands of food odors
Chopping garlic or cleaning a fish can leave their "essence" on your fingers long after the chore is done. Get those nasty food smells off your hands by simply wetting them and vigorously rubbing with about 2 teaspoons baking soda instead of soap. The smell should wash off with the soda.
Clean baby bottles and accessories
Here's some great advice for new parents: Keep all your baby bottles, nipples, caps, and brushes "baby fresh" by soaking them overnight in a container filled with hot water and half a box of baking soda. Be sure to give everything a good rinsing afterward, and to dry thoroughly before using. Baby bottles can also be boiled in a full pot of water and 3 tablespoons baking soda for three minutes.
Clean a cutting board
Keep your wooden or plastic cutting board clean by occasionally scrubbing it with a paste made from 1 tablespoon each baking soda, salt, and water. Rinse thoroughly with hot water.
Clear a clogged drain
Most kitchen drains can be unclogged by pouring in 1 cup baking soda followed by 1 cup hot vinegar (simply heat it up in the microwave for 1 minute). Give it several minutes to work, then add 1 quart (1 liter) boiling water. Repeat if necessary. If you know your drain is clogged with grease, use 1/2 cup each of baking soda and salt followed by 1 cup boiling water. Let the mixture work overnight; then rinse with hot tap water in the morning.
Boost potency of dishwashing liquid
Looking for a more powerful dishwashing liquid? Try adding 2 tablespoons baking soda to the usual amount of liquid you use, and watch it cut through grease like a hot knife!
Make your own dishwashing detergent
The dishwasher is fully loaded when you discover that you're out of your usual powdered dishwashing detergent. What do you do? Make your own: Combine 2 tablespoons baking soda with 2 tablespoons borax. You may be so pleased with the results you'll switch for good.
Deodorize your dishwasher
Eliminate odors inside your automatic dishwasher by sprinkling 1/2 cup baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher between loads. Or pour in half a box of baking soda and run the empty machine through its rinse cycle.
Clean your refrigerator
To get rid of smells and dried-up spills inside your refrigerator, remove the contents, then sprinkle some baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub the sides, shelves, and compartments. Rinse with a clean, wet sponge. Don't forget to place a fresh box of soda inside when you're done.
Clean your microwave
To clean those splatters off the inside of your microwave, put a solution of 2 tablespoons baking soda in 1 cup water in a microwave-safe container and cook on High for 2-3 minutes. Remove the container, then wipe down the microwave's moist interior with a damp paper towel.
Remove coffee and tea stains from china
Don't let those annoying coffee and/or tea stains on your good china spoil another special occasion. Remove them by dip-ping a moist cloth in baking soda to form a stiff paste and gently rubbing your cups and saucers. Rinse clean and dry, then set your table with pride.
Clean a thermos
To remove residue on the inside of a thermos, mix 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) water. Fill the thermos with the solution -- if necessary, give it a going-over with a bottle brush to loosen things up -- and let it soak overnight. Rinse clean before using.
Freshen a sponge or towel
When a kitchen sponge or dish towel gets that distinctly sour smell, soak it overnight in 2 tablespoons baking soda and a couple of drops of antibacterial dish soap dissolved in 1 pint (450 milliliters) warm water. The following morning, squeeze out the remaining solution and rinse with cold water. It should smell as good as new.
Remove stains and scratches on countertops
Is your kitchen countertop covered with stains or small knife cuts? Use a paste of 2 parts baking soda to 1 part water to "rub out" most of them. For stubborn stains, add a drop of chlorine bleach to the paste. Immediately wash the area with hot, soapy water to pre-vent the bleach from causing fading.
Shine up stainless steel and chrome trim
To put the shine back in your stainless steel sink, sprinkle it with baking soda, then give it a rubdown -- moving in the direction of the grain -- with a moist cloth. To polish dull chrome trim on your appliances, pour a little baking soda onto a damp sponge and rub over the chrome. Let it dry for an hour or so, then wipe down with warm water and dry with a clean cloth.
Get rid of grease stains on stovetops
Say good-bye to cooked-on grease stains on your stovetop or backsplash. First wet them with a little water and cover them with a bit of baking soda. Then rub them off with a damp sponge or towel.
Clean an automatic coffeemaker
Properly caring for your automatic coffeemaker means never having to worry about bitter or weak coffee. Every two weeks or so, brew a pot of 1 quart (1 liter) water mixed with 1/4 cup baking soda, followed by a pot of clean water. Also, sweeten your coffeemaker's plastic basket by using an old toothbrush to give it an occasional scrubbing with a paste of 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon water. Rinse thoroughly with cold water when done.
Care for your coffeepots and teapots
Remove mineral deposits in metal coffeepots and teapots by filling them with a solution of 1 cup vinegar and 4 tablespoons baking soda. Bring the mixture to a boil, then let simmer for five minutes. Or try boiling 5 cups water with 2 tablespoons soda and the juice of half a lemon. Rinse with cold water when done. To get off annoying exterior stains, wash your pots with a plastic scouring pad in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) warm water. Follow up with a cold-water rinse.
Remove stains from nonstick cookware
It may be called nonstick cookware, but a few of those stains seem to be stuck on pretty well. Blast them away by boiling 1 cup water mixed with 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar for 10 minutes. Then wash in hot, soapy water. Rinse well and let dry, then season with a bit of salad oil.
Clean cast-iron cookware
Although it's more prone to stains and rust than the nonstick variety, many folks swear by their iron cookware. You can remove even the toughest burned-on food remnants in your iron pots by boiling 1 quart (1 liter) water with 2 tablespoons baking soda for five minutes. Pour off most of the liquid, then lightly scrub it with a plastic scrub pad. Rinse well, dry, and season with a few drops of peanut oil.
Clean burned or scorched pots and pans
It usually takes heavy-duty scrubbing to get scorched-on food off the bottom of a pot or pan. But you can make life much easier for yourself by simply boiling a few cups of water (enough to get the pan about 1/4 full) and adding 5 tablespoons baking soda. Turn off the heat, and let the soda settle in for a few hours or overnight. When you're ready, that burned-on gunk will practically slip right off.
Deodorize your garbage pail
Does something smell "off" in your kitchen? Most likely, it's emanating from your trash can. But some smells linger even after you dispose of the offending garbage bag. So, be sure to give your kitchen garbage pail an occasional cleaning with a wet paper towel dipped in baking soda (you may want to wear rubber gloves for this). Rinse it out with a damp sponge, and let it dry before inserting a new bag. You can also ward off stinky surprises by sprinkling a little baking soda into the bottom of your pail before inserting the bag.
Remove mothball smell from clothes
Rub out perspiration and other stains
Wash mildewed shower curtains
Tighten cane chair seats
------
In the Kitchen
Clean your produce
You can't be too careful when it comes to food handling and preparation. Wash fruits and vegetables in a pot of cold water with 2-3 table-spoons baking soda; the baking soda will remove some of the impurities tap water leaves behind. Or put a small amount of baking soda on a wet sponge or vegetable brush and scrub your produce. Give everything a thorough rinsing before serving.
Tenderize meat
Got a tough cut of meat on your hands? Soften it up by giving it a rubdown in baking soda. Let it sit (in the refrigerator, of course) for three to five hours, then rinse it off well before cooking.
Soak out fish smells
Get rid of that fishy smell from your store-bought flounder filets and fish steaks by soaking the raw fish for about an hour (inside your refrigerator) in 1 quart (1 liter) water with 2 tablespoons baking soda. Rinse the fish well and pat dry before cooking.
Reduce acids in recipes
If you or someone in your family is sensitive to the high-acid content of tomato-based sauces or coffee, you can lower the overall acidity by sprinkling in a pinch of baking soda while cooking (or, in the case of coffee, before brewing). A bit of baking soda can also counteract the taste of vinegar if you happen to pour in a bit too much. Be careful not to overdo it with the soda, though -- if you add too much, the vinegar-baking soda combination will start foaming.
Bake better beans
Do you love baked beans but not their aftereffects? Adding a pinch of baking soda to baked beans as they're cooking will significantly reduce their gas-producing properties.
Fluff up your omelets
Want to know the secret to making fluffier omelets? For every three eggs used, add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Shhhh! Don't let it get around.
Use as yeast substitute
Need a stand-in for yeast when making dough? If you have some powdered vitamin C (or citric acid) and baking soda on hand, you can use a mixture of the two instead. Just mix in equal parts to equal the quantity of yeast required. What's more, the dough you add it to won't have to rise before baking.
Rid hands of food odors
Chopping garlic or cleaning a fish can leave their "essence" on your fingers long after the chore is done. Get those nasty food smells off your hands by simply wetting them and vigorously rubbing with about 2 teaspoons baking soda instead of soap. The smell should wash off with the soda.
Clean baby bottles and accessories
Here's some great advice for new parents: Keep all your baby bottles, nipples, caps, and brushes "baby fresh" by soaking them overnight in a container filled with hot water and half a box of baking soda. Be sure to give everything a good rinsing afterward, and to dry thoroughly before using. Baby bottles can also be boiled in a full pot of water and 3 tablespoons baking soda for three minutes.
Clean a cutting board
Keep your wooden or plastic cutting board clean by occasionally scrubbing it with a paste made from 1 tablespoon each baking soda, salt, and water. Rinse thoroughly with hot water.
Clear a clogged drain
Most kitchen drains can be unclogged by pouring in 1 cup baking soda followed by 1 cup hot vinegar (simply heat it up in the microwave for 1 minute). Give it several minutes to work, then add 1 quart (1 liter) boiling water. Repeat if necessary. If you know your drain is clogged with grease, use 1/2 cup each of baking soda and salt followed by 1 cup boiling water. Let the mixture work overnight; then rinse with hot tap water in the morning.
Boost potency of dishwashing liquid
Looking for a more powerful dishwashing liquid? Try adding 2 tablespoons baking soda to the usual amount of liquid you use, and watch it cut through grease like a hot knife!
Make your own dishwashing detergent
The dishwasher is fully loaded when you discover that you're out of your usual powdered dishwashing detergent. What do you do? Make your own: Combine 2 tablespoons baking soda with 2 tablespoons borax. You may be so pleased with the results you'll switch for good.
Deodorize your dishwasher
Eliminate odors inside your automatic dishwasher by sprinkling 1/2 cup baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher between loads. Or pour in half a box of baking soda and run the empty machine through its rinse cycle.
Clean your refrigerator
To get rid of smells and dried-up spills inside your refrigerator, remove the contents, then sprinkle some baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub the sides, shelves, and compartments. Rinse with a clean, wet sponge. Don't forget to place a fresh box of soda inside when you're done.
Clean your microwave
To clean those splatters off the inside of your microwave, put a solution of 2 tablespoons baking soda in 1 cup water in a microwave-safe container and cook on High for 2-3 minutes. Remove the container, then wipe down the microwave's moist interior with a damp paper towel.
Remove coffee and tea stains from china
Don't let those annoying coffee and/or tea stains on your good china spoil another special occasion. Remove them by dip-ping a moist cloth in baking soda to form a stiff paste and gently rubbing your cups and saucers. Rinse clean and dry, then set your table with pride.
Clean a thermos
To remove residue on the inside of a thermos, mix 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) water. Fill the thermos with the solution -- if necessary, give it a going-over with a bottle brush to loosen things up -- and let it soak overnight. Rinse clean before using.
Freshen a sponge or towel
When a kitchen sponge or dish towel gets that distinctly sour smell, soak it overnight in 2 tablespoons baking soda and a couple of drops of antibacterial dish soap dissolved in 1 pint (450 milliliters) warm water. The following morning, squeeze out the remaining solution and rinse with cold water. It should smell as good as new.
Remove stains and scratches on countertops
Is your kitchen countertop covered with stains or small knife cuts? Use a paste of 2 parts baking soda to 1 part water to "rub out" most of them. For stubborn stains, add a drop of chlorine bleach to the paste. Immediately wash the area with hot, soapy water to pre-vent the bleach from causing fading.
Shine up stainless steel and chrome trim
To put the shine back in your stainless steel sink, sprinkle it with baking soda, then give it a rubdown -- moving in the direction of the grain -- with a moist cloth. To polish dull chrome trim on your appliances, pour a little baking soda onto a damp sponge and rub over the chrome. Let it dry for an hour or so, then wipe down with warm water and dry with a clean cloth.
Get rid of grease stains on stovetops
Say good-bye to cooked-on grease stains on your stovetop or backsplash. First wet them with a little water and cover them with a bit of baking soda. Then rub them off with a damp sponge or towel.
Clean an automatic coffeemaker
Properly caring for your automatic coffeemaker means never having to worry about bitter or weak coffee. Every two weeks or so, brew a pot of 1 quart (1 liter) water mixed with 1/4 cup baking soda, followed by a pot of clean water. Also, sweeten your coffeemaker's plastic basket by using an old toothbrush to give it an occasional scrubbing with a paste of 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon water. Rinse thoroughly with cold water when done.
Care for your coffeepots and teapots
Remove mineral deposits in metal coffeepots and teapots by filling them with a solution of 1 cup vinegar and 4 tablespoons baking soda. Bring the mixture to a boil, then let simmer for five minutes. Or try boiling 5 cups water with 2 tablespoons soda and the juice of half a lemon. Rinse with cold water when done. To get off annoying exterior stains, wash your pots with a plastic scouring pad in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) warm water. Follow up with a cold-water rinse.
Remove stains from nonstick cookware
It may be called nonstick cookware, but a few of those stains seem to be stuck on pretty well. Blast them away by boiling 1 cup water mixed with 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar for 10 minutes. Then wash in hot, soapy water. Rinse well and let dry, then season with a bit of salad oil.
Clean cast-iron cookware
Although it's more prone to stains and rust than the nonstick variety, many folks swear by their iron cookware. You can remove even the toughest burned-on food remnants in your iron pots by boiling 1 quart (1 liter) water with 2 tablespoons baking soda for five minutes. Pour off most of the liquid, then lightly scrub it with a plastic scrub pad. Rinse well, dry, and season with a few drops of peanut oil.
Clean burned or scorched pots and pans
It usually takes heavy-duty scrubbing to get scorched-on food off the bottom of a pot or pan. But you can make life much easier for yourself by simply boiling a few cups of water (enough to get the pan about 1/4 full) and adding 5 tablespoons baking soda. Turn off the heat, and let the soda settle in for a few hours or overnight. When you're ready, that burned-on gunk will practically slip right off.
Deodorize your garbage pail
Does something smell "off" in your kitchen? Most likely, it's emanating from your trash can. But some smells linger even after you dispose of the offending garbage bag. So, be sure to give your kitchen garbage pail an occasional cleaning with a wet paper towel dipped in baking soda (you may want to wear rubber gloves for this). Rinse it out with a damp sponge, and let it dry before inserting a new bag. You can also ward off stinky surprises by sprinkling a little baking soda into the bottom of your pail before inserting the bag.
------
Around the House
Remove crayon marks from walls
Has Junior redecorated your walls or wallpaper with some original artworks in crayon? Don't lose your cool. Just grab a damp rag, dip it in some baking soda, and lightly scrub the marks. They should come off with a minimal amount of effort.
Wash wallpaper
Is your wallpaper looking a bit dingy? Brighten it up by wiping it with a rag or sponge moistened in a solution of 2 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) water. To remove grease stains from wallpaper, make a paste of 1 table-spoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon water. Rub it on the stain, let it set for 5-10 minutes, then rub off with a damp sponge.
Clean baby spit-ups
Infants do tend to spit up -- and usually not at opportune moments. Never leave home without a small bottle of baking soda in your diaper bag. If your tyke spits up on his or her (or your) shirt after feeding, simply brush off any solid matter, moisten a washcloth, dip it in a bit of baking soda, and dab the spot. The odor (and the potential stain) will soon be gone.
Deodorize rugs and carpets
How's this for a simple way to freshen up your carpets or rugs? Lightly sprinkle them with baking soda, let it settle in for 15 minutes or so, then vacuum up. Nothing to it!
Remove wine and grease stains from carpet
What's that? Someone just dropped a slab of butter or a glass of cabernet on your beautiful white carpeting! Before you scream, get a paper towel, and blot up as much of the stain as possible. Then sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda over the spot. Give the soda at least an hour to absorb the stain, then vacuum up the remaining powder. Now ... exhale!
Freshen up musty drawers and closets
Put baking soda sachets to work on persistent musty odors in dresser drawers, cabinet hutches, or closets. Just fill the toe of a clean sock or stocking with 3-4 tablespoons soda, put a knot about an inch above the bulge, and either hang it up or place it away in an unobtrusive corner. Use a few sachets in large spaces like closets and attic storage areas. Replace them every other month if needed. This treatment can also be used to rid closets of mothball smells.
Remove musty odor from books
If those books you just took out of storage emerge with a musty smell, place each one in a brown paper bag with 2 tablespoons baking soda. No need to shake the bag, just tie it up and let it sit in a dry environment for about one week. When you open the bag, shake any remaining powder off the books, and the smell should be gone.
Polish silver and gold jewelry
To remove built-up tarnish from your silver, make a thick paste with 1/4 cup baking soda and 2 tablespoons water. Apply with a damp sponge and gently rub, rinse, and buff dry. To polish gold jewelry, cover with a light coating of baking soda, pour a bit of vinegar over it, and rinse clean. Note: Do not use this technique with jewelry containing pearls or gem-stones, as it could damage their finish and loosen the glue.
Get yellow stains off piano keys
That old upright may still play great, but those yellowed keys definitely hit a sour note. Remove age stains on your ivories by mixing a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) warm water. Apply to each key with a dampened cloth (you can place a thin piece of card-board between the keys to avoid seepage). Wipe again with a cloth dampened with plain water, and then buff dry with a clean cloth. (You can also clean piano keys with lemon juice and salt.)
Remove stains from fireplace bricks
You may need to use a bit of elbow grease, but you can clean the smoke stains off your fireplace bricks by washing them with a solution of 1/2 cup baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) warm water.
Remove white marks on wood surfaces
Get those white marks -- caused by hot cups or sweating glasses -- off your coffee table or other wooden furniture by making a paste of 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon water. Gently rub the spot in a circular motion until it disappears. Remember not to use too much water.
Remove cigarette odors from furniture
To eliminate that lingering smell of cigarette or cigar smoke on your upholstered furniture, simply lightly sprinkle your chairs or sofas with some baking soda. Let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum it off.
Shine up marble-topped furniture
Revitalize the marble top on your coffee table or counter by washing it with a soft cloth dipped in a solution of 3 tablespoons baking soda and 1 quart (1 liter) warm water. Let it stand for 15 minutes to a half hour, then rinse with plain water and wipe dry.
Clean bathtubs and sinks
Get the gunk off old enameled bathtubs and sinks by applying a paste of 2 parts baking soda and 1 part hydrogen peroxide. Let the paste set for about half an hour. Then give it a good scrubbing and rinse well; the paste will also sweeten your drain as it washes down.
Remove mineral deposits from showerheads
Say so long to hard-water deposits on your showerhead. Cover the head with a thick sandwich-size bag filled with 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar. Loosely fasten the bag -- you need to let some of the gas escape -- with adhesive tape or a large bag tie. Let the solution work its magic for about an hour. Then remove the bag and turn on your shower to wash off any remaining debris. Not only will the deposits disappear, but your showerhead will be back to its old shining self!
Absorb bathroom odors
Keep your bathroom smelling fresh and clean by placing a decorative dish filled with 1/2 cup baking soda either on top of the toilet tank or on the floor behind the bowl. You can also make your own bathroom deodorizers by setting out dishes containing equal parts baking soda and your favorite scented bath salts.
Tidy up your toilet bowl
You don't need all those chemicals to get your toilet bowl clean. Just pour half a box of baking soda into your toilet tank once a month. Let it stand overnight, then give it a few flushes in the morning. This actually cleans both the tank and the bowl. You can also pour several tablespoons of baking soda directly into your toilet bowl and scrub it on any stains. Wait a few minutes, then flush away the stains.
Remove crayon marks from walls
Has Junior redecorated your walls or wallpaper with some original artworks in crayon? Don't lose your cool. Just grab a damp rag, dip it in some baking soda, and lightly scrub the marks. They should come off with a minimal amount of effort.
Wash wallpaper
Is your wallpaper looking a bit dingy? Brighten it up by wiping it with a rag or sponge moistened in a solution of 2 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) water. To remove grease stains from wallpaper, make a paste of 1 table-spoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon water. Rub it on the stain, let it set for 5-10 minutes, then rub off with a damp sponge.
Clean baby spit-ups
Infants do tend to spit up -- and usually not at opportune moments. Never leave home without a small bottle of baking soda in your diaper bag. If your tyke spits up on his or her (or your) shirt after feeding, simply brush off any solid matter, moisten a washcloth, dip it in a bit of baking soda, and dab the spot. The odor (and the potential stain) will soon be gone.
Deodorize rugs and carpets
How's this for a simple way to freshen up your carpets or rugs? Lightly sprinkle them with baking soda, let it settle in for 15 minutes or so, then vacuum up. Nothing to it!
Remove wine and grease stains from carpet
What's that? Someone just dropped a slab of butter or a glass of cabernet on your beautiful white carpeting! Before you scream, get a paper towel, and blot up as much of the stain as possible. Then sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda over the spot. Give the soda at least an hour to absorb the stain, then vacuum up the remaining powder. Now ... exhale!
Freshen up musty drawers and closets
Put baking soda sachets to work on persistent musty odors in dresser drawers, cabinet hutches, or closets. Just fill the toe of a clean sock or stocking with 3-4 tablespoons soda, put a knot about an inch above the bulge, and either hang it up or place it away in an unobtrusive corner. Use a few sachets in large spaces like closets and attic storage areas. Replace them every other month if needed. This treatment can also be used to rid closets of mothball smells.
Remove musty odor from books
If those books you just took out of storage emerge with a musty smell, place each one in a brown paper bag with 2 tablespoons baking soda. No need to shake the bag, just tie it up and let it sit in a dry environment for about one week. When you open the bag, shake any remaining powder off the books, and the smell should be gone.
Polish silver and gold jewelry
To remove built-up tarnish from your silver, make a thick paste with 1/4 cup baking soda and 2 tablespoons water. Apply with a damp sponge and gently rub, rinse, and buff dry. To polish gold jewelry, cover with a light coating of baking soda, pour a bit of vinegar over it, and rinse clean. Note: Do not use this technique with jewelry containing pearls or gem-stones, as it could damage their finish and loosen the glue.
Get yellow stains off piano keys
That old upright may still play great, but those yellowed keys definitely hit a sour note. Remove age stains on your ivories by mixing a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) warm water. Apply to each key with a dampened cloth (you can place a thin piece of card-board between the keys to avoid seepage). Wipe again with a cloth dampened with plain water, and then buff dry with a clean cloth. (You can also clean piano keys with lemon juice and salt.)
Remove stains from fireplace bricks
You may need to use a bit of elbow grease, but you can clean the smoke stains off your fireplace bricks by washing them with a solution of 1/2 cup baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) warm water.
Remove white marks on wood surfaces
Get those white marks -- caused by hot cups or sweating glasses -- off your coffee table or other wooden furniture by making a paste of 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon water. Gently rub the spot in a circular motion until it disappears. Remember not to use too much water.
Remove cigarette odors from furniture
To eliminate that lingering smell of cigarette or cigar smoke on your upholstered furniture, simply lightly sprinkle your chairs or sofas with some baking soda. Let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum it off.
Shine up marble-topped furniture
Revitalize the marble top on your coffee table or counter by washing it with a soft cloth dipped in a solution of 3 tablespoons baking soda and 1 quart (1 liter) warm water. Let it stand for 15 minutes to a half hour, then rinse with plain water and wipe dry.
Clean bathtubs and sinks
Get the gunk off old enameled bathtubs and sinks by applying a paste of 2 parts baking soda and 1 part hydrogen peroxide. Let the paste set for about half an hour. Then give it a good scrubbing and rinse well; the paste will also sweeten your drain as it washes down.
Remove mineral deposits from showerheads
Say so long to hard-water deposits on your showerhead. Cover the head with a thick sandwich-size bag filled with 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar. Loosely fasten the bag -- you need to let some of the gas escape -- with adhesive tape or a large bag tie. Let the solution work its magic for about an hour. Then remove the bag and turn on your shower to wash off any remaining debris. Not only will the deposits disappear, but your showerhead will be back to its old shining self!
Absorb bathroom odors
Keep your bathroom smelling fresh and clean by placing a decorative dish filled with 1/2 cup baking soda either on top of the toilet tank or on the floor behind the bowl. You can also make your own bathroom deodorizers by setting out dishes containing equal parts baking soda and your favorite scented bath salts.
Tidy up your toilet bowl
You don't need all those chemicals to get your toilet bowl clean. Just pour half a box of baking soda into your toilet tank once a month. Let it stand overnight, then give it a few flushes in the morning. This actually cleans both the tank and the bowl. You can also pour several tablespoons of baking soda directly into your toilet bowl and scrub it on any stains. Wait a few minutes, then flush away the stains.
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In the Medicine Cabinet
Treat minor burns
The next time you grab the wrong end of a frying pan or forget to use a pot holder, quickly pour some baking soda into a container of ice water, soak a cloth or gauze pad in it, and apply it to the burn. Keep applying the solution until the burn no longer feels hot. This treatment will also prevent many burns from blistering.
Cool off sunburn and other skin irritations
For quick relief of sunburn pain, soak gauze pads or large cotton balls in a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda mixed in 1 cup water and apply it to the affected areas. For a bad sunburn on your legs or torso -- or to relieve the itching of chicken pox -- take a lukewarm bath with a half to a full box of baking soda added to the running water. To ease the sting of razor burns, dab your skin with a cotton ball soaked in a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 cup water.
Soothe poison ivy rashes
Did you have an unplanned encounter with poison ivy when gardening or camping recently? To take away the itch, make a thick paste from 3 teaspoons baking soda and 1 teaspoon water and apply it to the affected areas. You can also use baking soda to treat oozing blisters caused by the rash. Mix 2 teaspoons baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) water and use it to saturate a few sterile gauze pads. Cover the blisters with the wet pads for 10 minutes, four times a day. Note: Do not apply on or near your eyes.
Make a salve for bee stings
Take the pain out of that bee sting -- fast. Make a paste of 1 teaspoon baking soda mixed with several drops of cool water, and let it dry on the afflicted area. Warning: Many people have severe allergic reactions to bee stings. If you have difficulty breathing or notice a dramatic swelling, get medical attention at once. (You can also treat bee stings with meat tenderizer.)
Fight diaper rash
Soothe your baby's painful diaper rash by adding a couple of table-spoons of baking soda to a lukewarm -- not hot -- bath. If the rash persists or worsens after several treatments, however, consult your pediatrician.
Combat cradle cap
Cradle cap is a commonplace, and typically harmless, condition in many infants. An old but often effective way to treat it is to make a paste of about 3 teaspoons baking soda and 1 teaspoon water. Apply it to your baby's scalp about an hour before bedtime and rinse it off the following morning. Do not use with shampoo. You may need to apply it several consecutive nights before the cradle cap recedes. (You can also treat cradle cap with baby oil.)
Control your dandruff
Got a bit of a "flaky" problem? To get dandruff under control, wet your hair and then rub a handful of baking soda vigorously into your scalp. Rinse thoroughly and dry. Do this every time you normally wash your hair, but only use baking soda, no shampoo. Your hair may get dried out at first. But after a few weeks your scalp will start producing natural oils, leaving your hair softer and free of flakes.
Clean combs and brushes
Freshen up your combs and hairbrushes by soaking them in a solution of 3 cups warm water and 2 teaspoons baking soda. Swirl them around in the water to loosen up all the debris caught between the teeth, then let them soak for about half an hour. Rinse well and dry before using.
Use as gargle or mouthwash
Did the main course you ordered include a few too many onions or a bit too much garlic? Try gargling with 1 teaspoon baking soda in a half glass of water. The baking soda will neutralize the odors on contact. When used as a mouthwash, baking soda will also relieve canker-sore pain.
Scrub teeth and clean dentures
If you run out of your regular toothpaste, or if you're looking for an all-natural alternative to commercial toothpaste, just dip your wet toothbrush in some baking soda and brush and rinse as usual. You can also use baking soda to clean retainers, mouthpieces, and dentures. Use a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda dissolved in 1 cup warm water. Let the object soak for a half hour and rinse well before using.
Clean and sweeten toothbrushes
Keep your family's toothbrushes squeaky clean by immersing them in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup water. Let the brushes soak overnight about once every week or two. Be sure to give them a good rinsing before using.
Remove built-up gel, hair spray, or conditioner from hair
When it comes to personal grooming, too much of a good thing can spell bad news for your hair. But a thorough cleansing with baking soda at least once a week will wash all of the gunk out of your hair. Simply add 1 tablespoon soda to your hair while shampooing. In addition to removing all the chemicals you put in your hair, it will wash away water impurities, and may actually lighten your hair.
Use as antiperspirant
Looking for an effective, all-natural deodorant? Try applying a small amount -- about a teaspoon's worth -- of baking soda with a powder puff under each arm. You won't smell like a flower or some exotic spice. But then, you won't smell like anything from the opposite extreme, either.
Relieve itching inside a cast
Wearing a plaster cast on your arm or leg is a misery any time of year, but wearing one in the summertime can be torture. The sweating and itchiness you feel underneath your "shell" can drive you nearly insane. Find temporary relief by using a hair dryer -- on the coolest setting -- to blow a bit of baking soda down the edges of the cast. Note: Have someone help you, to avoid getting the powder in your eyes.
Alleviate athlete's foot
You can deploy wet or dry baking soda to combat a case of athlete's foot. First, try dusting your feet (along with your socks and shoes) with dry baking soda to dry out the infection. If that doesn't work, try making a paste of 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon water and rubbing it between your toes. Let it dry, and wash off after 15 minutes. Dry your feet thoroughly before putting on your shoes.
Soothe tired, stinky feet
When your dogs start barking, treat them to a soothing bath of 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) warm water. Besides relaxing your aching tootsies, the baking soda will remove the sweat and lint that gathers between your toes. Regular footbaths can also be an effective treatment for persistent foot odor.
Deodorize shoes and sneakers
A smelly shoe or sneaker is no match for the power of baking soda. Liberally sprinkle soda in the offending loafer or lace-up and let it sit overnight. Dump out the powder in the morning. (Be careful when using baking soda with leather shoes, however; repeated applications can dry them out.) You can also make your own reusable "odor eaters" by filling the toes of old socks with 2 table-spoons baking soda and tying them up in a knot. Stuff the socks into each shoe at night before retiring. Remove the socks in the morning and breathe easier.
Treat minor burns
The next time you grab the wrong end of a frying pan or forget to use a pot holder, quickly pour some baking soda into a container of ice water, soak a cloth or gauze pad in it, and apply it to the burn. Keep applying the solution until the burn no longer feels hot. This treatment will also prevent many burns from blistering.
Cool off sunburn and other skin irritations
For quick relief of sunburn pain, soak gauze pads or large cotton balls in a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda mixed in 1 cup water and apply it to the affected areas. For a bad sunburn on your legs or torso -- or to relieve the itching of chicken pox -- take a lukewarm bath with a half to a full box of baking soda added to the running water. To ease the sting of razor burns, dab your skin with a cotton ball soaked in a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 cup water.
Soothe poison ivy rashes
Did you have an unplanned encounter with poison ivy when gardening or camping recently? To take away the itch, make a thick paste from 3 teaspoons baking soda and 1 teaspoon water and apply it to the affected areas. You can also use baking soda to treat oozing blisters caused by the rash. Mix 2 teaspoons baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) water and use it to saturate a few sterile gauze pads. Cover the blisters with the wet pads for 10 minutes, four times a day. Note: Do not apply on or near your eyes.
Make a salve for bee stings
Take the pain out of that bee sting -- fast. Make a paste of 1 teaspoon baking soda mixed with several drops of cool water, and let it dry on the afflicted area. Warning: Many people have severe allergic reactions to bee stings. If you have difficulty breathing or notice a dramatic swelling, get medical attention at once. (You can also treat bee stings with meat tenderizer.)
Fight diaper rash
Soothe your baby's painful diaper rash by adding a couple of table-spoons of baking soda to a lukewarm -- not hot -- bath. If the rash persists or worsens after several treatments, however, consult your pediatrician.
Combat cradle cap
Cradle cap is a commonplace, and typically harmless, condition in many infants. An old but often effective way to treat it is to make a paste of about 3 teaspoons baking soda and 1 teaspoon water. Apply it to your baby's scalp about an hour before bedtime and rinse it off the following morning. Do not use with shampoo. You may need to apply it several consecutive nights before the cradle cap recedes. (You can also treat cradle cap with baby oil.)
Control your dandruff
Got a bit of a "flaky" problem? To get dandruff under control, wet your hair and then rub a handful of baking soda vigorously into your scalp. Rinse thoroughly and dry. Do this every time you normally wash your hair, but only use baking soda, no shampoo. Your hair may get dried out at first. But after a few weeks your scalp will start producing natural oils, leaving your hair softer and free of flakes.
Clean combs and brushes
Freshen up your combs and hairbrushes by soaking them in a solution of 3 cups warm water and 2 teaspoons baking soda. Swirl them around in the water to loosen up all the debris caught between the teeth, then let them soak for about half an hour. Rinse well and dry before using.
Use as gargle or mouthwash
Did the main course you ordered include a few too many onions or a bit too much garlic? Try gargling with 1 teaspoon baking soda in a half glass of water. The baking soda will neutralize the odors on contact. When used as a mouthwash, baking soda will also relieve canker-sore pain.
Scrub teeth and clean dentures
If you run out of your regular toothpaste, or if you're looking for an all-natural alternative to commercial toothpaste, just dip your wet toothbrush in some baking soda and brush and rinse as usual. You can also use baking soda to clean retainers, mouthpieces, and dentures. Use a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda dissolved in 1 cup warm water. Let the object soak for a half hour and rinse well before using.
Clean and sweeten toothbrushes
Keep your family's toothbrushes squeaky clean by immersing them in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup water. Let the brushes soak overnight about once every week or two. Be sure to give them a good rinsing before using.
Remove built-up gel, hair spray, or conditioner from hair
When it comes to personal grooming, too much of a good thing can spell bad news for your hair. But a thorough cleansing with baking soda at least once a week will wash all of the gunk out of your hair. Simply add 1 tablespoon soda to your hair while shampooing. In addition to removing all the chemicals you put in your hair, it will wash away water impurities, and may actually lighten your hair.
Use as antiperspirant
Looking for an effective, all-natural deodorant? Try applying a small amount -- about a teaspoon's worth -- of baking soda with a powder puff under each arm. You won't smell like a flower or some exotic spice. But then, you won't smell like anything from the opposite extreme, either.
Relieve itching inside a cast
Wearing a plaster cast on your arm or leg is a misery any time of year, but wearing one in the summertime can be torture. The sweating and itchiness you feel underneath your "shell" can drive you nearly insane. Find temporary relief by using a hair dryer -- on the coolest setting -- to blow a bit of baking soda down the edges of the cast. Note: Have someone help you, to avoid getting the powder in your eyes.
Alleviate athlete's foot
You can deploy wet or dry baking soda to combat a case of athlete's foot. First, try dusting your feet (along with your socks and shoes) with dry baking soda to dry out the infection. If that doesn't work, try making a paste of 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon water and rubbing it between your toes. Let it dry, and wash off after 15 minutes. Dry your feet thoroughly before putting on your shoes.
Soothe tired, stinky feet
When your dogs start barking, treat them to a soothing bath of 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) warm water. Besides relaxing your aching tootsies, the baking soda will remove the sweat and lint that gathers between your toes. Regular footbaths can also be an effective treatment for persistent foot odor.
Deodorize shoes and sneakers
A smelly shoe or sneaker is no match for the power of baking soda. Liberally sprinkle soda in the offending loafer or lace-up and let it sit overnight. Dump out the powder in the morning. (Be careful when using baking soda with leather shoes, however; repeated applications can dry them out.) You can also make your own reusable "odor eaters" by filling the toes of old socks with 2 table-spoons baking soda and tying them up in a knot. Stuff the socks into each shoe at night before retiring. Remove the socks in the morning and breathe easier.
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In the Laundry
Boost strength of liquid detergent and bleach
It may sound like a cliché, but adding 1/2 cup baking soda to your usual amount of liquid laundry detergent really will give you "whiter whites" and brighter colors. The baking soda also softens the water, so you can actually use less detergent. Adding 1/2 cup baking soda in top-loading machines (1/4 cup for front-loaders) also increases the potency of bleach, so you need only half the usual amount of bleach.
Remove mothball smell from clothes
If your clothes come out of storage reeking of mothballs, take heed: Adding 1/2 cup baking soda during your washer's rinse cycle will get rid of the smell.
Wash new baby clothes
Get all of the chemicals out of your newborn's clothing -- without using any harsh detergents. Wash your baby's new clothes with some mild soap and 1/2 cup baking soda.
Rub out perspiration and other stains
Pretreating clothes with a paste made from 4 tablespoons baking soda and 1/4 cup warm water can help vanquish a variety of stains. For example, rub it into shirts to remove perspiration stains; for really bad stains, let the paste dry for about two hours before washing. Rub out tar stains by applying the paste and washing in plain baking soda. For collar stains, rub in the paste and add a bit of vinegar as you're putting the shirt in the wash.
Wash mildewed shower curtains
Just because your plastic shower curtain or liner gets dirty or mildewed doesn't mean you have to throw it away. Try cleaning it in your washing machine with two bath towels on the gentle setting. Add 1/2 cup baking soda to your detergent during the wash cycle and 1/2 cup vinegar during the rinse cycle. Let it drip-dry; don't put it in the dryer.
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For the Do-It-Yourselfer
Clean battery terminals
Eliminate the corrosive buildup on your car's battery terminals. Scrub them clean using an old toothbrush and a mixture of 3 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon warm water. Wipe them off with a wet towel and dry with another towel. Once the terminals have completely dried, apply a bit of petroleum jelly around each terminal to deter future corrosive buildup.
Use as deicer in winter
Salt and commercial ice-melt formulations can stain -- or actually eat away -- the concrete around your house. For an equally effective, but completely innocuous, way to melt the ice on your steps and walkways during those cold winter months, try sprinkling them with generous amounts of baking soda. Add some sand for improved traction.
Tighten cane chair seats
The bottoms of cane chairs can start to sag with age, but you can tighten them up again easily enough. Just soak two cloths in a solution of 1/2 cup baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) hot water. Saturate the top surface of the caning with one cloth, while pushing the second up against the bottom of the caning to saturate the underside. Use a clean, dry cloth to soak up the excess moisture, then put the chair in the sun to dry.
Remove tar from your car
It may look pretty bad, but it's not that hard to get road tar off your car without damaging the paint. Make a soft paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water and apply to the tar spots with a damp cloth. Let it dry for five minutes, then rinse clean.
Give your deck the weathered look
You can instantly give your wooden deck a weathered look by washing it in a solution of 2 cups baking soda in 1 gallon (3.7 liters) water. Use a stiff straw brush to work the solution into the wood, then rinse with cool water.
Clean air-conditioner filters
Clean washable air-conditioner filters each month they're in use. First vacuum off as much dust and dirt as possible, then wash in a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 quart (1 liter) water. Let the filters dry thoroughly before replacing.
Keep your humidifier odor-free
Eliminate musty smells from a humidifier by adding 2 tablespoons baking soda to the water each time you change it. Note: Check your owner's manual or consult the unit's manufacturer before trying this.
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In the Great Outdoors
Keep weeds out of cement cracks
Looking for a safe way to keep weeds and grasses from growing in the cracks of your paved patios, driveways, and walkways? Sprinkle handfuls of baking soda onto the concrete and simply sweep it into the cracks. The added sodium will make it much less hospitable to dandelions and their friends.
Clean resin lawn furniture
Most commercial cleaners are too abrasive to be used on resin lawn furniture. But you won't have to worry about scratching or dulling the surface if you clean your resin furniture with a wet sponge dipped in baking soda. Wipe using circular motions, then rinse well.
Use as plant food
Give your flowering, alkaline-loving plants, such as clematis, delphiniums, and dianthus, an occasional shower in a mild solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda in 2 quarts (2 liters) water. They'll show their appreciation with fuller, healthier blooms.
Maintain proper pool alkalinity
Add 1 1/2 pounds (680 grams) baking soda for every 10,000 gallons (38,000 liters) of water in your swimming pool to raise the total alkalinity by 10 ppm (parts per million). Most pools require alkalinity in the 80-150 ppm range. Maintaining the proper pool alkalinity level is vital for minimizing changes in pH if acidic or basic pool chemicals or contaminants are introduced to the water.
Scour barbecue grills
Keep your barbecue grill in top condition by making a soft paste of 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup water. Apply the paste with a wire brush and let dry for 15 minutes. Then wipe it down with a dry cloth and place the grill over the hot coals for at least 15 minutes to burn off any residue before placing any food on top.
Keep weeds out of cement cracks
Looking for a safe way to keep weeds and grasses from growing in the cracks of your paved patios, driveways, and walkways? Sprinkle handfuls of baking soda onto the concrete and simply sweep it into the cracks. The added sodium will make it much less hospitable to dandelions and their friends.
Clean resin lawn furniture
Most commercial cleaners are too abrasive to be used on resin lawn furniture. But you won't have to worry about scratching or dulling the surface if you clean your resin furniture with a wet sponge dipped in baking soda. Wipe using circular motions, then rinse well.
Use as plant food
Give your flowering, alkaline-loving plants, such as clematis, delphiniums, and dianthus, an occasional shower in a mild solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda in 2 quarts (2 liters) water. They'll show their appreciation with fuller, healthier blooms.
Maintain proper pool alkalinity
Add 1 1/2 pounds (680 grams) baking soda for every 10,000 gallons (38,000 liters) of water in your swimming pool to raise the total alkalinity by 10 ppm (parts per million). Most pools require alkalinity in the 80-150 ppm range. Maintaining the proper pool alkalinity level is vital for minimizing changes in pH if acidic or basic pool chemicals or contaminants are introduced to the water.
Scour barbecue grills
Keep your barbecue grill in top condition by making a soft paste of 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup water. Apply the paste with a wire brush and let dry for 15 minutes. Then wipe it down with a dry cloth and place the grill over the hot coals for at least 15 minutes to burn off any residue before placing any food on top.
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For Your Pet
Make deodorizing dog shampoo
The next time Rover rolls around in your compost heap, pull out the baking soda to freshen him up. Just rub a few handfuls of the powder into his coat and give it a thorough brushing. In addition to removing the smell, it will leave his coat shiny and clean.
Wash insides of pets' ears
If your pet is constantly scratching at his ears, it could indicate the presence of an irritation or ear mites. Ease the itch (and wipe out any mites) by using a cotton ball dipped in a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda in 1 cup warm water to gently wash the inside of his ears.
Keep bugs away from pets' dishes
Placing a border of baking soda around your pet's food bowls will keep away six-legged intruders. And it won't harm your pet if he happens to lap up a little (though most pets aren't likely to savor soda's bitter taste).
Deodorize the litter box
Don't waste money on expensive deodorized cat litter. Just put a thin layer of baking soda under the bargain-brand litter to absorb the odor. Or mix baking soda with the litter as you're changing it.
Make deodorizing dog shampoo
The next time Rover rolls around in your compost heap, pull out the baking soda to freshen him up. Just rub a few handfuls of the powder into his coat and give it a thorough brushing. In addition to removing the smell, it will leave his coat shiny and clean.
Wash insides of pets' ears
If your pet is constantly scratching at his ears, it could indicate the presence of an irritation or ear mites. Ease the itch (and wipe out any mites) by using a cotton ball dipped in a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda in 1 cup warm water to gently wash the inside of his ears.
Keep bugs away from pets' dishes
Placing a border of baking soda around your pet's food bowls will keep away six-legged intruders. And it won't harm your pet if he happens to lap up a little (though most pets aren't likely to savor soda's bitter taste).
Deodorize the litter box
Don't waste money on expensive deodorized cat litter. Just put a thin layer of baking soda under the bargain-brand litter to absorb the odor. Or mix baking soda with the litter as you're changing it.
------
1001 Công Dụng Của Giấm
Trong web site nầy họ chỉ dẫn nhiều cách dùng giấm trong đời sống hàng ngày
http://www.vinegartips.com/Scripts/
50 Uses for Vinegar
1.Used as a hair rinse, vinegar neutralizes the alkali left by shampoos.
2.A quarter cup in a quart of water makes a good window cleaner. A reader adds: "When you use vinegar in your water to wash windows, dry with newspapers. Your windows will sparkle!"
3.Fabric softener and static cling reducer — use as you would liquid fabric softener.
4.Air freshener, used with baking soda — use 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 2 cups of water. After it stops foaming, mix well, and use in a (recycled) spray bottle into the air.
5.Chewing gum dissolver — saturate the area with vinegar. If the vinegar is heated, it will work faster.
6.Stain remover — for stains caused by grass, coffee, tea, fruits and berries. Soak clothing in full strength vinegar.
7.Corn and callus remover — soak a piece of stale bread (a cloth would probably do as well) in vinegar, and tape it over the callus or corn overnight.
8.Remedy for age spots — Mix equal parts of onion juice and vinegar and use it daily on age spots. This will take a few weeks to work, just like its expensive relative from the store.
9.Kill grass or weeds by pouring hot vinegar on it. This might take a couple of times to work completely. Use white vinegar straight from the bottle to pour on the weeds and grasses that come up through the pavement. Just pour on and let set a couple of days and the weeds will die back and wont reappear for several months.
10.Wash your windshield with vinegar in the winter to help keep ice and frost away.
11.If you have a septic tank, use vinegar instead of harsh chemicals to clean the toilet bowl. Let it set overnight if you can; it will help keep germs down.
12.Spray your hands with a mist of vinegar, or dip them in vinegar and dry after washing dishes or having them in soapy water to keep your hands soft.
13.It's an ongoing battle as to whether vinegar can help you lose weight, but the ones who say it will, say to drink a glass of water before each meal in which you've added a tablespoon of vinegar and a tablespoon of honey.
14.Use diluted 1:1 in water to take pet odors out of carpets. Find the spot, and saturate it with about 1 1/2 times the original volume. Let set for a while then blot up. Repeat if your cloth is very dirty after blotting. I make sure to turn on a fan and open a window, especially for large spots!
15.Splash vinegar on your varicose veins. The vinegar is supposed to reduce the veins and relieve the pain and swelling. Of course, you might smell like a tossed salad!
16.Use about a tablespoon of vinegar in the water when poaching eggs. It helps the eggs to keep their shape. No taste of vinegar, either.
17.Use 1 tablespoon vinegar to an 8-ounce glass of warm water for a sore throat. Gargle every hour and swallow after gargling, with two mouthfuls. I got this from a Vermont Folk Medicine book by D.C.Jarvis many years ago. If started at the first hint of a sore throat, it always works, usually within a night's sleep. I don't mind the taste, but some children might.
18.It is also helpful when children get lice, if you take warm vinegar and put it on the hair also take your nit comb and dip it in the vinegar. As you run it through the hair it helps remove the nits. It is supposed to be able to help break down the glue the nits use to stay attached to the hair.
19.Set a container (shallow bowl) of vinegar throughout the house to absorb unpleasant odors. Works great on burned food odors. Do not use styrofoam. It will soak through it.
20.Use vinegar and olive oil as a frugal dressing with a selection of herbs on your salad. A different reader adds: "I like to use vinegar the old-fashioned way: I eat it!! I use all sorts of vinegars as salad dressing ingredients (my favorite is the classic red wine vinegar mixed with olive oil). I also eat my fish with malt vinegar, which is also very good on french fries."
21.This reader says: "I liked the 'spray mister' approach to air freshening, but as a sometimes poor bachelor cook, I have blackened fish when it isn't on the menu. Vinegar in a towel, twirled about the head will quickly stop the smoke detectors from screaming. It also freshens the air, and captures the smoke smell before the whole house is caught."
22.Added by another reader: "Put vinegar on white bread around a house to get rid of smoke smell from a fire."
23.Another reader writes: "You can use vinegar to remove wallpaper. I just redid my entire kitchen and it was a snap. First remove top layer of wallpaper. Then spray vinegar on and let set for a minute or two. Then pull backing away. Scrape excess glue off wall. Wipe remaining glue off with vinegar and rinse with water. You don't have to use harse chemicals and it is cheap, cheap, cheap."
24.Another reader writes this: "Keep it in mind when cleaning the walls after removing wallpaper: I use vinegar water (2-3 parts vinegar to 1 part water) to remove (new or old) wallpaper paste. Add more vinegar as needed if the paste is really stubborn."
25.This reader writes: "My grandmother swears by vinegar as an antiseptic for abrasions to reduce itch from poison ivy or mosquito bites, and even to help rehydrate sunburned skin."
26.She also uses it diluted 50/50 as a skin cleanser, as most soaps are alkaline as compared to skin ph.
27.On a different note, most meat marinades are most effective if acidic, so an extra few spoonfuls of vinegar can't hurt.
28.On heavily tarnished copper or copper-alloy to be cleaned up, use a paste made of salt and vinegar.
29.A reader writes: "I use white (not apple cider) vinegar mixed with water to rinse off the dishes after washing them to take the soap off and leave them squeaky clean. This also takes the soap residue off of my hands at the same time."
30.Another reader wrote: "I am allergic to crabs. However, I love them. I have found that when I dip my crab meat in vinegar, I don't get an allergic reaction. This may not work for everyone, but it works for me."
31.Pour vinegar around the sides of your pool and it helps keeps flies away.
32.Add 1/2 cup vinegar to a gallon of water to keep your vinyl no-wax floors clean and shining. A reader adds: "Not only does it keep the floors shiny but it kills the dust mites! Great for us since we have severe allergies." Another reader adds: "We moved into a new house 6 months ago, and it's a vinyl floor haven. Lots of vinyl floor! Since my old house was relatively small with only about a 10x8 vinyl floor in my kitchen, I usually just got down on my hands and knees to do the deed. Not now! My back isn't that great! I bought one of those mops with the detachable, washable heads, and I squirt pickling vinegar ('cause it's stronger) on the floor, mop it up and squirt more as needed. My floor is impeccable, my back is just fine, thanks, and there's no need to buy any of that Mop and Glo stuff. It's affordable (read 'frugal'!) and environmentally safe."
33.Use as a meat tenderizer. Add a tablespoon to water when boiling ribs or meat for stews, and even the toughest meat will be so tender you can cut with fork or will fall off the bone.
34.One teaspoon to one tablespoon of vinegar gets rid of hiccups. Another reader writes: "I've found that gargling with cider vinegar will stop the most horrible case of hiccups!"
35.Vinegar is great for removing calcium deposit build up. Use full strength and allow to set. Time depends on condition.
36.Sunburn Remedies: At bedtime, cover sunburns with a towel soaked in water and vinegar and try to persuade the victim to sleep this way. Younger ones, of course, will have a struggle with this, especially because of the smell! Put vinegar in a spray bottle and spray on sunburn. It soothes for quite a length of time. Just like store bought stuff.
A reader wrote this: "I used this on my son when his legs were sunburned. I used half and half which was half water and half vinegar. I saturated tea towels in it and layed them on his legs and he said it didn't smell too good but it sure took out the burning. You must do this several times but it works and then it gives you a nice tan."
Vinegar will take the sting out of a sunburn — just soak a paper towel and apply to burn. Smells bad but, hey, if you're in pain, who cares? To relieve swelling and fluid from too much sun, mix a paste of baking soda and apple cider vinegar and apply.
This reader says it will draw out the fluid: "I met a girl who was told by her doctor to sit in the sun (she had some sort of skin problem). She was to use diluted red wine vinegar to keep from burning. She was out in the sun every day of the summer and had a nice tan. (You have to understand that she lived in Philadelphia, PA and I was visiting from Florida). When I went on a trip to the Keys to spend a lot of time on the water, I used a spray bottle filled with undiluted red wine vinegar. I had my friend spray my back occasionally while spraying the front more frequently. My back did get somewhat burned, but from head to toes the front of me was nicely tanned. (I did look really red from the vinegar, but after showering...ta da...tan) I'm not sure, but using the red wine vinegar has seemed to help me tan faster."
37.Use 2 cups of cider vinegar in the tub to soak sore muscles and add potassium to muscles.
38.Use for a throat soother. Take equal amounts of honey and cider vinegar, stir or shake until dissolved. Take a tablespoon at a time to cut mucous in the throat.
39.Heat vinegar to boiling point. Then poor over your fixtures that have deposits of lime. This will release or remove lime deposits.
40.Use a cup of vinegar in two gallons of water in the diaper pail to neutralize the urine in cloth diapers. It also helps keep them from staining.
41.Keep a spray bottle of 50% vinegar, 50% water near the laundry station. Spray it on stains before tossing the clothing into the washer (just as you would a commercial spray stain remover). As a carpet spot and stain remover — take a trigger spray bottle and fill with one part white vinegar to seven parts water. Take a second spray bottle and fill with one part white, non sudsy ammonia and seven parts water. Saturate stain with vinegar solution. Let dwell for a few minutes and blot thoroughly with a clean, white cloth. Then go over the area with the ammonia solution, let dwell and blot again. Repeat until the stain is gone. Also works for pet stains to help remove the odors.
42.Keep a solution of 50/50 white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to use for cleaning windows.
43.From a reader: "When I apply a weak bleach solution (to a counter after handling raw chicken, or to grout to whiten it), even after rinsing it still smells like bleach. Spraying it with the vinegar solution does away with the bleachy smell." This also works if you use bleach when washing fabric — try an extra rinse with a cup of vinegar in it to get rid of the bleach smell. Note: A reader cautioned against using vinegar with bleach because it produces chlorine gas, so I asked about it on our chemistry guide's forum here at About.com. He said that, while the mixture does produce chlorine gas, using a few drops at a time (to rinse hands or counter, as opposed to gallons) as a spot neutralizer would cause no problem. You can read the posts yourself, if you like.
44.Another reader wrote this: "Fill the water reservoir half way and run the coffee maker as you normally do and then run it once full of water and the coffee maker will be spotless. (Well, cleaner anyway.)"
45.Vinegar in drinking water is very effective in eliminating the low-grade fevers that are present in Chronic Fatigue sufferers. It also helps eliminate the 'thrush' coating in the mouth which is sometimes caused by antibiotic use. Mix four tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a gallon of drinking water. Drink up to one gallon each day.
46.Add a splash of vinegar, a tablespoon or so, to the water when you hard-boil eggs. If one cracks, it will not boil out of the shell.
47.Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a quart of drinking water. Helps to deal with heat stress. Also helps to repel mosquitoes.
48.From another reader: "After years of suffering from athlete's foot, consulting doctors, and spending hundreds of dollars on so called cures (some prescription, some over the counter), I read in one of the magazines in which I subscribe to try soaking in vinegar. Something was said about it changing skin ph so that the fungus could not grow. I soaked three evenings in a row. Now, no more fungus and that has been several months ago."
49.This reader says: "I feed vinegar to my horses to keep the flies away. I pour 1/4 cup of cider vinegar on their grain once a day and it really keeps the flies away from them! They seem to like it too."
50.I use cloth diapers and my baby kept breaking out in a rash. From another web site, it suggested adding a cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle. It equalizes the ph balance. I've been doing it ever since and, viola, no diaper rash!
(sưu tầm)
Một Số Công Dụng của Ketchup
Ketchup rất thông dụng ở Bắc Mỹ, được dùng như loại sauce ăn kèm nhằm làm tăng hương vị của một số món ăn, chẳng hạn như french fries (khoai tây chiên), hambuger, hotdog, vv... vv... Ngoài ra, ketchup còn có một số công dụng khác nữa.
Ketchup rất thông dụng ở Bắc Mỹ, được dùng như loại sauce ăn kèm nhằm làm tăng hương vị của một số món ăn, chẳng hạn như french fries (khoai tây chiên), hambuger, hotdog, vv... vv... Ngoài ra, ketchup còn có một số công dụng khác nữa.
- Tạo mầu sắc cho món ăn thêm hấp dẫn: phi tỏi với dầu cho thơm, cho thêm ketchup vào trộn cho đều sẽ thành một hỗn hợp mầu sắc tươi thắm, có thể cho vào nước dùng bún riêu, bò kho, vv.. vv... nhằm tăng thêm phần hấp dẫn cho món ăn.
- Lau chùi vật dụng bằng đồng: những món vật dụng bằng đồng lâu ngày bị xỉn mầu có thể dùng giẻ thấm ketchup lau chùi, vật dụng đó sẽ bóng loáng đẹp mắt.
- Khử mùi hôi của chồn hôi (skunk): khi lỡ bị chồn hôi xịt "hương gây mùi nhớ", người ta thường dùng tomato juice hay ketchup để khử mùi hôi.
- Giúp khôi phục mầu nhuộm trên mái tóc: có tài liệu viết rằng khi mầu thuốc nhuộm tóc bị phai hay đổi mầu vì chlorine trong nước (nhất là nước hồ bơi), có thể bôi ketchup lên tóc, ủ khoảng 20 phút rồi xả cho sạch. Mầu tóc sẽ được khôi phục lại.
Nhắc đến món nem chua chắc hẳn sẽ liên tưởng tới các đòn nem hồng hồng dai dai chua dịu dàng làm bằng thịt heo, thịt bò hay thậm chí bằng ham. Nhưng ngoài các loại thịt đó ra, chúng ta vẫn có thể thưởng thức hương vị nem chua với vỏ bưởi.
Đây là hình chụp món nem chua vỏ bưởi Tứ Diễm làm lần đầu tiên.
Gói lại kèm thêm rau răm và ớt
Xin mời xem tiếp chi tiết và hình ảnh ...
Đây là hình chụp món nem chua vỏ bưởi Tứ Diễm làm lần đầu tiên.
Gói lại kèm thêm rau răm và ớt
Mùa nầy mà có bánh nướng để ăn thật lạ, phải không? Tự làm ở nhà nên muốn "múa" lúc nào thì "múa", chỉ cần chịu khó lăn xuống bếp "quậy" một hồi sẽ có bánh để ăn. Đây là đợt bánh làm vào lúc nửa đêm về sáng để kịp thời gian mang mời các anh chị trong nhóm ăn tráng miệng cho vui.
Hình chụp sau khi vừa nướng xong khoảng 1 tiếng nên mầu vỏ bánh còn chưa được đẹp lắm.
Xin mời xem thêm chi tiết và hình ảnh ...
Hình chụp sau khi vừa nướng xong khoảng 1 tiếng nên mầu vỏ bánh còn chưa được đẹp lắm.
Xin mời xem thêm chi tiết và hình ảnh ...
Bánh dầy giò là một món ăn miền Bắc, chỉ đơn giản gồm hai miếng bánh dầy làm bằng nếp, ở chính giữa hai lớp bánh dầy là một khoanh giò (chả lụa) hay chả chiên. Ngày xưa, việc làm bánh dầy rất nặng nhọc vì phải nấu nếp cho chín, sau đó phải dùng chầy giã nếp cho thật nhuyễn nát rồi nhồi thật dẻo mịn. Thời nay, ở hải ngoại, cách làm bánh dầy giò đơn giản hơn nhiều.
Xin mời đọc thêm chi tiết và hình ảnh nha...
Xin mời đọc thêm chi tiết và hình ảnh nha...
Cũng vẫn dùng công thức Bánh Mì Ngọt nhưng tùy theo cách nặn hình mà có nhiều kiểu bánh khác nhau.
Xin mời đọc tiếp để thấy hình ảnh một số kiểu bánh mì ngọt Tứ Diễm đã làm...
Xin mời đọc tiếp để thấy hình ảnh một số kiểu bánh mì ngọt Tứ Diễm đã làm...
Bánh mì ngọt là một món ăn đơn giản mà ngon (có thể click vào hình xem rõ hơn).
Xin mời đọc thêm chi tiết về công thức và cách làm.... Please click here if you like to read my Sweet Buns recipe written in English
Xin mời đọc thêm chi tiết về công thức và cách làm.... Please click here if you like to read my Sweet Buns recipe written in English
Mỗi năm gần tới dịp lễ Trung Thu, ngoài chợ sẽ bầy bán rất nhiều hiệu bánh nướng bánh dẻo với nhân đa dạng. Tuy nhiên vì bánh đã làm từ trước đó một vài tháng và cần lưu giữ một khoảng thời gian rất lâu nên nhân bánh thường rất ngọt, bánh cũng có thêm thuốc chống mốc và hóa chất để khỏi bị hư hỏng. Nếu muốn an toàn, vệ sinh và hợp khẩu vị, chúng ta vẫn có thể tự làm những cái bánh nướng với nhân nêm nếm vừa với ý thích riêng.
Đây là hình chụp mấy cái bánh Tứ Diễm vừa làm được khoảng 8 tiếng nên mầu bánh chưa được đẹp và vỏ bánh còn chưa tươm dầu. Nhưng bánh rất thơm ngon có thể ăn liền được.
Xin mời đọc thêm chi tiết và hình ảnh ....
Đây là hình chụp mấy cái bánh Tứ Diễm vừa làm được khoảng 8 tiếng nên mầu bánh chưa được đẹp và vỏ bánh còn chưa tươm dầu. Nhưng bánh rất thơm ngon có thể ăn liền được.
Xin mời đọc thêm chi tiết và hình ảnh ....
Cách làm bánh nướng thoạt nhìn cứ nghĩ rất cầu kỳ và khó khăn, nhưng thật ra cũng không quá phức tạp và khó làm. Vật liệu chính của vỏ bánh thường chỉ gồm: nước đường, bột mì, trứng, một ít nước tro tầu và nước lạnh. Đơn giản vậy thôi.
Nếu lười nấu hay không kịp thời gian, có thể dùng tạm syrup mua ở chợ thay thế nước đường. Tuy nhiên để có làm ra những cái bánh nướng đúng tiêu chuẩn và đúng kiểu, chúng ta nên tự nấu nước đường ở nhà, vừa sạch vừa rẻ vừa ngon.
Xin mời xem thêm chi tiết về cách nấu nước đường và các hình ảnh...
Nếu lười nấu hay không kịp thời gian, có thể dùng tạm syrup mua ở chợ thay thế nước đường. Tuy nhiên để có làm ra những cái bánh nướng đúng tiêu chuẩn và đúng kiểu, chúng ta nên tự nấu nước đường ở nhà, vừa sạch vừa rẻ vừa ngon.
Xin mời xem thêm chi tiết về cách nấu nước đường và các hình ảnh...
Hiện giờ mới cuối tháng Giêng âm lịch, còn cả gần tám tháng nữa mới tới mùa Tết Trung Thu. Nhưng muốn có bánh để ăn, chỉ cần lăn vào bếp, úm ba la một hồi sẽ có bánh để ăn cho vui miệng. Đây là bánh nướng nhân đậu xanh trứng mặn (tự muối) mới nướng xong. Bánh mới làm nên mầu còn chưa được đẹp và vỏ bánh chưa tươm dầu, nhưng vỏ bánh đã mềm mại thơm ngon có thể ăn ngay được rồi.
Bọc lớp plastic wrap xếp vào hộp nhìn cho đẹp hơn nghen
Đậy thêm lớp nắp nhựa nhìn cho giống bánh bán ở tiệm nghen
Nếu thích xem bánh do Tứ Diễm đã làm, mời ghé xem trong các bài viết:
Bọc lớp plastic wrap xếp vào hộp nhìn cho đẹp hơn nghen
Đậy thêm lớp nắp nhựa nhìn cho giống bánh bán ở tiệm nghen
Nếu thích, mời xem thêm chi tiết và hình ảnh trong các bài viết:
Xin mời thưởng thức và thực hành thử Nếu thích xem bánh do Tứ Diễm đã làm, mời ghé xem trong các bài viết:
- Bánh Nướng Cá Vàng
- Bánh Nướng Cún Con 2013
- Bánh Nướng Heo Con
- Bánh Nướng Heo Con 2013
- Bánh Nướng Heo Mẹ và Đàn Con
- Bánh Nướng Heo Mẹ và Đàn Con 2013
- Bánh Nướng Nhân Đậu Xanh Một Trứng
- Bánh Nướng 2013 Nhiều Kiểu
- Bánh Nướng Rồng Vàng 2013
- Bánh Nướng Thập Cẩm Một Trứng
- Bánh Nướng ... Tháng 2
- Bánh Nướng Trung Thu 2012
- Bánh Nướng Trung Thu trái mùa
- Bánh Nướng Vu Lan 2013
- Bánh Nướng Thập Cẩm 2013
Xuân và Tình Yêu
Tháng Hai, dẫu "Không Còn Mùa Thu"
Cũng thiếu dáng nai vàng ngơ ngác
Nhưng giữa chiều mùa Đông bàng bạc
Chợt ấm lòng "Tà Áo Gia Long"
Cùng "Đón Xuân" mặc gió lạnh mùa Đông
Hồn rộn ràng theo "Bài Ca Hạnh Ngộ"
Sợi tơ lòng khẽ rung cung bậc nhớ
Da diết sao "Lý Con Sáo Bạc Liêu"
"Gửi Anh", gửi chị, gửi em mến yêu
Những cảm xúc chân thành tha thiết
Quyện dư âm hương vị ngày Tết:
"Xổ số", "xin xăm", tiếng trống "Múa Lân",...
Lòng lâng lâng cùng "Vũ Điệu Mùa Xuân"
Tim rộn rã theo vũ khúc "Fireworks"
"Lãng Du" phương nào đều dừng bước
Xum họp cùng nhau một tối Tân Niên
Tay bắt, mặt mừng, trò chuyện huyên thuyên
Tình Thầy Trò, Bằng Hữu thêm thắm thiết.
Cuộc vui nào cũng tới lúc tạm biệt,
Nhưng sẽ gặp nhau trong tiệc Khao Quân
Cùng nâng ly chào đón Chúa Xuân
Quên hết mọi ưu phiền trong cuộc sống:
"Vũng Lầy Của Chúng Ta" - lắng đọng.
Luôn nhớ mãi "Xuân và Tình Yêu"
Bao hình ảnh, kỷ niệm đẹp thật nhiều
Thật vô giá cho kho tàng cảm xúc.
Xin cảm ơn mọi người cùng góp sức,
Cùng chung vui một buổi tối đầu năm,
Xin cảm ơn, cảm ơn vạn vạn lần
Hẹn tái ngộ tiệc Khao Quân sắp tới...
Tứ Diễm - Feb. 14, 2012
(Viết sau khi đọc bài "Tà Áo Gia Long" của nhạc sĩ Phan Ni Tấn)
P.S. những chữ trong ngoặc kép là tên bài viết của nhạc sĩ PNT, chủ đề và các tiết mục trong đêm Tiệc Tân Niên lần thứ 24 của nhóm cựu nữ sinh Gia Long Toronto Feb. 4, 2012
Tháng Hai, dẫu "Không Còn Mùa Thu"
Cũng thiếu dáng nai vàng ngơ ngác
Nhưng giữa chiều mùa Đông bàng bạc
Chợt ấm lòng "Tà Áo Gia Long"
Cùng "Đón Xuân" mặc gió lạnh mùa Đông
Hồn rộn ràng theo "Bài Ca Hạnh Ngộ"
Sợi tơ lòng khẽ rung cung bậc nhớ
Da diết sao "Lý Con Sáo Bạc Liêu"
"Gửi Anh", gửi chị, gửi em mến yêu
Những cảm xúc chân thành tha thiết
Quyện dư âm hương vị ngày Tết:
"Xổ số", "xin xăm", tiếng trống "Múa Lân",...
Lòng lâng lâng cùng "Vũ Điệu Mùa Xuân"
Tim rộn rã theo vũ khúc "Fireworks"
"Lãng Du" phương nào đều dừng bước
Xum họp cùng nhau một tối Tân Niên
Tay bắt, mặt mừng, trò chuyện huyên thuyên
Tình Thầy Trò, Bằng Hữu thêm thắm thiết.
Cuộc vui nào cũng tới lúc tạm biệt,
Nhưng sẽ gặp nhau trong tiệc Khao Quân
Cùng nâng ly chào đón Chúa Xuân
Quên hết mọi ưu phiền trong cuộc sống:
"Vũng Lầy Của Chúng Ta" - lắng đọng.
Luôn nhớ mãi "Xuân và Tình Yêu"
Bao hình ảnh, kỷ niệm đẹp thật nhiều
Thật vô giá cho kho tàng cảm xúc.
Xin cảm ơn mọi người cùng góp sức,
Cùng chung vui một buổi tối đầu năm,
Xin cảm ơn, cảm ơn vạn vạn lần
Hẹn tái ngộ tiệc Khao Quân sắp tới...
Tứ Diễm - Feb. 14, 2012
(Viết sau khi đọc bài "Tà Áo Gia Long" của nhạc sĩ Phan Ni Tấn)
P.S. những chữ trong ngoặc kép là tên bài viết của nhạc sĩ PNT, chủ đề và các tiết mục trong đêm Tiệc Tân Niên lần thứ 24 của nhóm cựu nữ sinh Gia Long Toronto Feb. 4, 2012
Xôi Vò là món miền Bắc, đơn giản mà ngon, chỉ cần có nếp và đậu xanh, chút muối, chút dầu, chút nước. Cách làm thông thường là dùng xửng (chõ) để hấp (người Bắc gọi là đồ) nếp trộn với chút dầu và đậu xanh đã hấp chín giã (hay xay) nhuyễn. Hạt nếp được bọc trong lớp đậu thêm ít dầu nên sẽ mềm dẻo và tơi rời từng hạt. Nếu xôi không tơi rời mà bị dính lục cục thì không còn là Xôi Vò, mà thành Xôi Xéo.
Với cuộc sống hiện nay, thời gian rảnh rang không nhiều, thay vì nấu xôi theo cách thông thường phải mất công canh bếp và rửa xửng, chúng ta có thể dùng microwave để nấu những tô Xôi Vò thơm ngon mềm dẻo mà lại gọn lẹ như vầy nè.
Với cuộc sống hiện nay, thời gian rảnh rang không nhiều, thay vì nấu xôi theo cách thông thường phải mất công canh bếp và rửa xửng, chúng ta có thể dùng microwave để nấu những tô Xôi Vò thơm ngon mềm dẻo mà lại gọn lẹ như vầy nè.
Xin mời xem thêm chi tiết về cách nấu Xôi Vò bằng microwave và hình ảnh...
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