100 TIPS IN 100 DAYS - DAY 15

Last Friday night I was about to begin dinner and, like millions of other Americans, I pulled out the olive oil to use in my dish. I'm sure you know by now what comes next.......I wanted to know other uses for this incredible product. I found the following article by Chris McAndrew on hubpages.com. This guy really did his homework.

30 Unusual Uses for Olive Oil

By Chris McAndrew

So, you have bought your bottle of Olive Oil to drizzle over your salad or maybe to cook with but did you know that this wonderfully versatile product has a few other uses?
1. Substitute for shaving cream. Olive oil can provide a safe and natural lubricant for a close shave. Rub in an extra teaspoon after washing your body or face once finished.
2. Make your own furniture polish. Restore the lost lustre of your wooden furniture by whipping up some serious homemade furniture polish that's just as good as any of the commercial stuff. Combine 2 parts olive oil and 1 part lemon juice or white vinegar in a clean spray bottle, shake it up, and spray on. Leave on the mixture for a minute or two, and then wipe off with a clean cloth or paper towel.
3. Fingernails. Use a bit of olive oil to moisturize cuticles, or mix oil and water and soak your hands before a manicure.
4. Lubricate Measuring Cups and Spoons. Rub or spray olive oil on your measuring tools for easy clean-up of sticky substances like honey, grain mustards, and sugar syrups,
5. Control hair frizz. Comb a bit of olive oil through dry hair to tame the frizz and flyaway's on humid days or in the winter.
6. Free a stuck zipper. Use a cotton swab to apply olive oil to the teeth of a zipper, then gently ease the tab down.
7. Care for your cat. Add a teaspoon of olive oil to your cat's food to help prevent hairballs, and provide a shiny coat.
8. DIY Lip balm. Mix olive oil and melted beeswax in a 1:1 ratio, with an essential oil for fragrance, and say goodbye to dry and chapped lips.
9. As hair conditioner. Is your hair as dry and brittle? Put the moisture back into it by heating 1/2 cup olive oil (don't boil it), and then liberally applying it to your hair. Cover your hair with a plastic grocery bag, and then wrap it in a towel. Let it set for 45 minutes, then shampoo and thoroughly rinse.
10. Shine stainless steel and brass. Rub a bit of olive oil on a clean rag to prevent streaks, corrosion, and tarnish.
11. Exfoliate your face and hands. Rub your skin with olive oil, and then scrub with sugar or coarse salt, and rinse.
12. As you bathe. Add a few tablespoons of olive oil to your running bath water. You'll be amazed when you towel off.
13. Remove makeup. Dab a bit under your eyes, on your cheeks and forehead, then wipe with a damp cloth.
14. Cure an earache. Very carefully, use a cotton swab to apply olive oil to the outside ear cavity to help with earaches and excess wax.
15. Remove paint from your skin. Rub on olive oil onto messy hand and arms (or faces) and allow the oil to soak into the skin for five minutes, and then rinse with soap and water.
16. Treat lice. Apply olive oil to your youngster's hair, and leave on for at least 40 minutes. Shampoo twice, and then apply a preventative.
17. Stop a throat tickle. Take a sip of olive oil to stop the itchy flicker that is making you cough.
18. Fix a squeaky door. Use a rag or cotton swab to apply olive oil to the top of a problematic hinge in your home or automobile
19. Shoe polish. Rub down your shoes with just a spray of olive oil to maintain their shine.
20. Clear up acne. So, the idea of applying oil to your face to treat acne does sound a bit strange but many people swear this works: Make a paste by mixing 4 tablespoons salt with 3 tablespoons olive oil. Pour the mixture onto your hands and fingers and work it around your face. Leave it on for a minute or two, and then rinse it off with warm, soapy water. Apply daily for one week, then cut back to two or three times weekly. You should see a noticeable improvement in your condition. (The principle is that the salt cleanses the pores by exfoliation, while the olive oil restores the skin's natural moisture.)
21. Soften your skin. Rub olive oil daily on notoriously dry areas, such as your feet or elbows, especially after a shower, shaving, or waxing.
22. Easy clean up of garden tools. Spray some olive oil on your tools to cut down on dirt build-up.
23. Condition leather. Rub olive oil into worn leather, such as a baseball glove, and let set for 30 minutes, and then wipe away any excess.
24. Clean your greasy hands. To remove car grease or paint from your hands, pour 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt or sugar into your palms. Vigorously rub the mixture into your hands and between your fingers for several minutes; then wash it off with soap and water. Not only will your hands be cleaner, they'll be softer as well.
25. Cure nappy rash. Gently wipe on olive oil to your baby's bottom to help with the irritation of diaper rash.
26. Remove paint from hair. Did you get almost as much paint in your hair as you did on the walls in your last paint job? You can easily remove that undesirable tint by moistening a cotton ball with some olive oil and gently rubbing it into your hair.
27. Floor polish - Mix three parts lemon and one part vinegar for well working wood polish.
28. A mixture of 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1/4 cup water used as a night cream will make your skin glow. The olive oil softens and moisturizes and the vinegar lightens discolorations, kills bacteria and loosens dead skin cells. Splash water on your face before applying.
29. To prevent your pasta from overflowing, try pouring a tablespoon of olive oil into the water before boiling.
30. Replace butter - When cooking, try adding a little bit of olive oil instead of butter for a healthier and better tasting meal.
All of this from the 'stuff' you just bought as a salad dressing! (Don't try any of this with Mayo!!)

100 TIPS IN DAYS - DAY 14

APOLOGIES, APOLOGIES....I apologize that I haven't posted in awhile. Summer break and life seemed to take over for a stretch of time but I am back in full swing now so here I go!
Every girl knows that with warmer temps come one thing....shaving all the time! Electrolysis seems more desirable every time I shave. I also have two teenage boys who (thank goodness) shave regularly . This made me wonder what else shaving cream could be used for. I found the following article by Persophone Rose on
http://gomestic.com . I never knew about the whole gun thing!

10 Outstanding Uses for Shaving Cream

by Persephone Rose on Sep 09, 2007 with 8 Comments

This guide details how shaving cream can save you time and money around the house.

We all know that shaving cream can be very useful for aiding in unwanted hair maintenance. However, it also has many excellent uses for cleaning many things around the house as well. Just check out some of these helpful uses!

1. Cleans Dirty Hands

   Next time you are out camping, don’t use your drinking water to wash off those dirty hands, use a small dollop of shaving cream and wipe your hands off with a towel!

2. Clean Your Bathroom Mirror

   When toothpaste is speckled all over the mirror, don’t grab glass cleaner; the ammonia in it can be harmful to some mirrors. Instead, put some shaving cream on a paper towel and rub it in. wet the paper towel and rub it off. This will leave you with a streak free shiny mirror.

3. Cleans and Shines Water Faucets

   If you are having guests over, you may want to clean and shine the faucets in your kitchen, bathroom and shower with shaving cream. Scrub shaving cream in with a sponge and wipe off with a damp cloth. Leaves you with faucets that look like new!

4. Removes Carpet Stains

   Read more in Homemaking

   « 12 Surprising Uses for Cat Litter

   Stains: How to Remove Them? »
   Having children in the home can be a messy business. But you can quickly and easily get that chocolate stain off your white carpeting with a dollop of shaving cream on the stained area and an old toothbrush to scrub it in. Afterwards, a damp towel will wipe up any excess shaving cream.

5. Breaks In Baseball Gloves!

   If the kids want to break in their new baseball mitts with a game of catch it the yard, have them rub some shaving cream into the palm, squeezing mitt together and let sit for about four hours.

6. Safe and Fun Paint for the Little Ones

   If you are caring for young children and need a fun project that is easy to clean up, consider making many colors of finger paint by placing a palm sized dollop of shaving cream into a bowl with some colored drink mix as the coloring. It’s a fun texture to paint with, its not harmful if accidentally swallowed and it cleans up nicely if it gets on clothing. (Side note: this project can also be done with whipped cream)

7. That Old Door Shall Squeak No More!

   If the hinges on your doors are starting to squeak when you open and close them, it’s time to put a little shaving cream on it and scrub into tiny cracks with an old toothbrush.

8. Shines That Engagement Ring Right Up

   If your jewelry is starting to look tarnished, grab that old toothbrush again! Scrub shaving cream in, leaving your jewelry shiny and your gems sparkling!

9. Cleans Guns Nicely

   If you are having trouble getting the carbon buildup to come off your bolt or barrel, consider shaving cream, that well used toothbrush and wipe off excess with a very slightly damp rag. Dry completely with dry rag to prevent possibility of rust.

10. Cleans Dirt From Under Your Nails

    If you’ve been working hard, it shows… as dirt underneath your fingernails. Use shaving cream and a toothpick to get those nails looking freshly manicured!

Read more: http://gomestic.com/homemaking/10-outstanding-uses-for-shaving-cream/#ixzz1SPXYezpi

100 TIPS IN DAYS - DAY 13

Last night I made one of our favorite dishes, chicken alfredo. It was yummy! Many people eat pasta at least once a week I did some research and  found out the average American consumes 4 1/2 - 5 pounds of pasta per year. That doesn't sound like a lot but when you consider how light uncooked pasta is it makes more sense. If you are like me, you are always willing to try a new recipe with pasta. With so many options, it can be a little frustrating and overwhelming putting the correct ingredients with this staple. I found the following information on http://www.ilovepasta.org and it breaks down the right combination of  pasta, sauces and meats. I plan on printing it out and keeping it with my recipes.  I hope you find it as useful as I did.

SEARCH

Pasta Shapes

When making delicious pasta dishes, be sure to choose a pasta shape and sauce that complement each other. Thin, delicate pastas like angel hair or thin spaghetti, should be served with light, thin sauces. Thicker pasta shapes, like fettuccine, work well with heavier sauces. Pasta shapes with holes or ridges like mostaccioli or radiatore, are perfect for chunkier sauces.

Acini di Pepe  (“Peppercorn”) – Acini di Pepe is perfect to use in soup recipes. These shapes are ideal to include in broths.	Alphabet Pasta: This favorite kids’ shape is usually used in soups for a fun meal anytime.
Anellini - Tiny rings of pasta. Anellini is a smaller version of Anelli pasta. It is used in various soups and is also a compliment to a number of salads.	Angel Hair, Capellini (“Fine Hairs”) – These thin, delicate pasta strands are best if used with thinner, delicate sauces. Other uses: break in half and put in soup; use in salads or stir-fry meals.
Bow Ties, Farfalle (“Butterflies”) – Bow Ties brighten any meal with their interesting shape. Thick enough for a variety of sauces, or a perfect addition to a number of  salad or soup recipes.	Buctani - Thick Spaghetti shaped pasta that is hollow in the center, similar to a thin straw. Bucatini is the perfect choice for nearly any sauce, or it can be used to make casseroles or stir-fry dishes. Go beyond tomato sauce and see what your favorite becomes.
Campanelle (“Bells”) – Campanelle pasta resembles a small cone with a ruffled edge. Pair Campanelle pasta with meat, cream, vegetable or oil based sauces. Also, these shapes are great when used in pasta salads.	Cappelletti – Cappelletti pasta is folded and then twisted to form the shape of a small hat. On occasion, this pasta is sometimes referred to as an alpine hat.
Casarecce - Casarecce pasta is shaped like a very narrow, twisted and rolled tube. This pasta is best used when serving a meat sauce and can be used in a variety of casserole dishes.	Cavatappi  (“Corkscrew”) - The tight spiral locks-in the flavor allowing the shape to pair with both simple and sophisticated sauces. Pair Cavatappi with meat, cream, vegetable or oil based sauces. Also, these shapes are great when used in pasta salads.
Cavatelli – Cavatelli resemble tiny hot dog buns. These shapes are commonly served with thick, chunky sauces or in pasta salads. Cavatelli pairs nicely with meat, cream, seafood or vegetable sauces.	Ditalini (“Little Thimbles”) – This versatile shape can be used as the base of any dish. Bake it, stir it into soups, or create great salads and stir-fry dishes.
Egg Noodles (Medium) -  (From “Nudel,” German meaning paste with egg) – This size of Egg Noodle can be baked, tossed in soups or salads, or topped with cream, tomato, cheese or meat sauces.	Egg Noodles (Wide) – (From “Nudel,” German meaning paste with egg) – Go beyond the traditional Stroganoff and use, Wide Egg Noodles to create soups, salads and casseroles. Or, top with a variety of sauces.
Elbow Macaroni – A highly versatile shape that can be topped with any sauce, baked, or put in soups, salads and stir-fry dishes. Elbow Macaroni is traditionally used to make Macaroni and Cheese.	Farfalline – Farfalline is s small version of the bow tie or butterfly shaped pasta. This versatile shape can be used as the base of any dish. Bake it, stir it into soups, or create great salads and stir-fry dishes.
Fideo – Short thin strands of pasta that are slightly curved. Fideo pasta is commonly used in various soup recipes.	Fusilli (“Twisted Spaghetti”) – This long, spiraled shape can be topped with any sauce, broken in half and added to soups, or turned into a beautiful salad. Fusilli also bakes well in casseroles.
Gemili (“Twins”) - Add a touch of style to any dish with this distinctive shape. Gemeilli pairs nicely with meat, cream, seafood and vegetable sauces.	Gigli (“Lilies”)– Gigli is a fluted edge piece of pasta that has been rolled into a cone shaped flower. Gigli is perfect for heavier sauces, like cheese, meat and tomato or it is a perfect addition to a number of casseroles.
Jumbo Shells – Best when stuffed with your favorite mixtures of cheese, meat and vegetables. Stuff with meat flavored with taco seasoning, top with salsa and bake for a delicious Mexican dish, or create your own stuffed treat.	Lasagna (From “lasanum,” Latin for pot) – Create original Lasagna casseroles by using chopped vegetables, cheeses and any kind of sauce. You can also assemble your casserole and freeze it for later meal.
Linguine   (“Little Tongues”) - A great shape to compliment a variety of sauces. Also a good choice for salads and stir-fry dishes.	Macaroni  (“Dumpling”) – A highly versatile shape that can be topped with any sauce, baked, or put in soups, salads and stir-fry dishes.
Manicotti (“Small Muffs”) – Stuff Manicotti with a mixture of meat, cheese and vegetables, top with your favorite sauce, and bake.	Medium Shells, Conchiglie – (“Shells”) Shells make a great addition to soups or as the base of a wonderful salad. Try remaking your favorite Macaroni and Cheese using Shells, for a fun twist on a time-honored tradition.
Orecchiette (“Little Ears”) – These “little ears” are commonly served with thick, chunky sauces or in pasta salads.	Orzo (“Barley”) – This small, grain shaped pasta can be topped with any sauce, added to soups, or baked as a casserole. Perfect as a side dish as well as a main course.
Penne, Mostaccioli (“Quills” and “Small Mustaches”) – This tubular pasta compliments a variety of sauces, is frequently used in salads, baked in casseroles, or made into stir fry dishes.	Penne  (“Quills” or “Feathers”) – Penne compliment virtually every sauce and are exceptional when paired with a chunky sauce. Penne pairs nicely with chunky meat, chunky vegetable, cream, or oil based sauces. Also, these shapes are great for baking dishes.
Penne Rigate (“Quills” or “Feathers”)- Penne compliment virtually every sauce and are exceptional when paired with a chunky sauce. Penne Rigate are ridged and ideal to lock-in flavor. Penne Rigate pairs nicely with chunky meat, chunky vegetable, cream, or oil based sauces. Also, these shapes are great for baking dishes.	Pipe Rigate - A hollow curved pasta that resembles a snail shell. This shape has a wide opening at one end and the other end is flattened. Pipe Rigate pairs nicely with chunky meat, chunky vegetable, cream, or oil based sauces.
Pipette Rigate – This shape is a smaller version of Pipe Rigate. Pipette Rigate pairs nicely with chunky meat, chunky vegetable, cream, or oil based sauces. Also, these shapes are great for baking dishes.	Radiatori  (“Radiators”) – This ruffled, ridged shape adds elegance to any sauce. It also works well baked in casseroles, or used in salads and soups.
Ravioli - Ravioli are square round pillows of pasta that have a filling consisting of ingredients such as cheese, meats, vegetables and seasonings. Ravioli can be served with a red sauce or it can be served with butter, oil or cream.	Reginette – Reginette is wide, flat ribbon pasta that has rippled edges on both sides. This shape is similar to Lasagna.
Riccioli (“Curl”) -Riccioli’s twisted shape holds bits of meat, vegetables and cheese, so it works well with a variety of sauces, or you can use it to create fun salads, baked casseroles, or stir-fry meals.	Rigatoni  (“Large Grooved”)  - Rigatoni’s ridges and holes are perfect with any sauce, from cream or cheese to the chunkiest meat sauces.
Rocchetti (“Spool”)  – This short pasta is perfect for preparing casseroles and salads.	Rotelle (“Little Wheels”) -The cartwheel is not a classic Italian shape, but due to the variety of color and entertaining shape they are crowd favorite. Because the spokes of the wheels are good for capturing flavor, these shapes are easy to pair. Rotelle pasta pairs nicely with meat, cream, seafood or vegetable sauces.
Rotini (“Spirals” or “Twists”) – Rotini’s twisted shape holds bits of meat, vegetables and cheese, so it works well with any sauce, or you can use it to create fun salads, baked casseroles, or stir-fry meals.	Small Shells - Shells make a great addition to soups or as the base of a wonderful salad. Try remaking your favorite Macaroni and Cheese using Shells, for a fun twist on a time-honored tradition.
Spaghetti – (“A length of Cord”) America’s favorite shape, Spaghetti is the perfect choice for nearly any sauce, or it can be used to make casseroles or stir-fry dishes. Go beyond tomato sauce and see what your favorite becomes.	Thin Spaghetti – Thin Spaghetti is very similar to Vermicelli. Each one is slightly thinner than Spaghetti.  Thin Spaghetti is perfect topped with any sauce, or as a salad or stir-fry ingredient.
Tortellini – Tortellini is a ring-shaped pasta typically stuffed with meat, cheese or vegetables. Tortellini is commonly served in a broth or cream sauce.	Tortiglioni – Tortiglioni is narrow, tubular pasta. This shape is commonly used to add decoration to salads or paired with a simple sauce.
Tripolini – Tripolini is a tiny bow tie shaped pasta used in soups and salads or paired with a simple sauce.	Tubini  - A medium-sized, tubular pasta shape, Tubini is perfect for chunky sauces and meat dishes. It also makes wonderful salads, baked dishes and stir-fry meals.
Vermicelli – (“Little Worms”) Slightly thinner than Spaghetti, Vermicelli is good topped with any sauce, or as a salad or stir-fry ingredient.	Wagon Wheels, Ruote (“Wheels”) – Wagon Wheels make interesting salads, casseroles and stir-fry dishes. Add to soups, or simply top with sauce and enjoy.
Ziti (“Bridegrooms”) – A medium-sized, tubular pasta shape, Ziti is perfect for chunky sauces and meat dishes. It also makes wonderful salads, baked dishes and stir-fry meals.