January 31, 2014Dear Readers:
What are some of the deadliest foods the world has ever seen? Poisonous or harmful by design, not accident, and something that has us questioning our sanity when we choose to take a bite?
1 Fruit SeedsiStockLike apples, cherry pits contain a type of hydrogen cyanide called prussic acid. Don't go eating a cup of ground pits, or peach and apricot pits for that matter.
2 RhubarbiStockRhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, which causes kidney stones. It'll take 11 pounds of leaves to be fatal, but much less to make you seriously ill.
3 NutmegiStockNutmeg is actually a hallucinogenic. Yes, you can trip on it, but it's said that eating just 0.2 oz of nutmeg could lead to convulsions, and 0.3 oz could lead to seizures. Eating one whole will supposedly lead to a type of "nutmeg psychosis," which includes a sense of impending doom.
4 PotatoesiStockGlycoalkaloids, also found in nightshade, can be found in the leaves, stems, and sprouts of potatoes. It can also build up in the potato if it's left too long, especially in the light. Eating glycoalkaloids will lead to cramping, diarrhea, confused headaches, or even coma and death. It's said that just 3 to 6 mg per kilogram of body weight could be fatal. Avoid potatoes with a greenish tinge. (Helen's comment: I was told this about the greenish tinge by my grandmother, but never knew why until now.)
5 AlmondsiStockThere are two variations of almonds, sweet almonds and bitter almonds. The bitter ones supposedly contain relatively large amounts of hydrogen cyanide. It's said that even eating just 7 - 10 raw bitter almonds can cause problems for adults, and could be fatal for children.
6 Raw HoneyFlickr/tesKing-Italy/Daily MealBecause it doesn't go through the pasteurization process in which harmful toxins are killed, unpasteurized honey often contains grayanotoxin. That can lead to dizziness, weakness, excessive sweating, nausea, and vomiting that last for 24 hours. Typically just one tablespoon of concentrated grayanotoxin can cause the symptoms above. Consuming multiple tablespoons would be a bad idea.
7 TomatoesiStockThe stems and leaves of tomatoes contain alkali poisons that can cause stomach agitation. Unripe green tomatoes have been said to have the same effect. You would need to consume vast quantities for it to be fatal. Not exactly high-risk, but you might avoid eating tomato leaves.
8 TunaiStockThe danger in tuna is the mercury that the fish absorbs. Once in your body, mercury will either pass through your kidneys, or travel to your brain and supposedly drive you insane. The FDA recommends children and pregnant women do not consume tuna at all. While it's unlikely that eating a massive amount of tuna in one sitting will kill you, it's a good idea to monitor your weekly intake. Click here to visit the Environmental Working Group's tuna calculator to see how much is recommended.
9 CassavaiStockThe leaves and roots of cassava are surprisingly rich in cyanide. By this point, we may as well wish cyanide were the most delicious, sumptuous substance on the planet if we had to die to enjoy a bite… there is not much in the way of flavor, though. Cassava is a tropical vegetable originally from South America, but has gained popularity in Africa, particularly for its juice, which can be fermented to produce a drink called piwarry.
10 CashewsiStockRaw cashews you might find in a supermarket are not actually raw, as they've been steamed to remove the urushiol, a chemical also found in poison ivy. This chemical can cause the same effect as poison ivy, or poison oak. High levels of urushiol can supposedly prove fatal. People who are allergic to poison ivy are likely to have a fatal allergic reaction to eating actual raw cashews. See more deadly foods at The Daily Meal
August 25, 2013
Create extra kitchen storage:Hang a shoe organizer over your pantry or kitchen door and fill it with cooking utensils and supplies that you use every day.
DIY pet feeding station:Source: chezerbey.comGot an empty kitchen shelf? Feeling handy? Cut holes in a the bottom shelf and countersink dog food bowls for a cute and out-of-the-way dog feeding station.
From the DAILYBUZZ.COM
July 7, 2012
Five Car Maintenance MythsDear Readers:
March 30, 2013Dear Readers:
- Place the eggs in a large sauce pan and completely cover with COLD water.
- Place the sauce pan on the stove and bring the water and eggs to a gentle boil.
- Turn off the heat, cover the eggs, and let the eggs sit in the hot water for 10 to 11 minutes.
- Safely drain off the hot water and rinse the eggs with cold water. (I like to put some ice in the water so I can quickly cool off the eggs so I can peel them easily.
Photo: William Warby on flickr.com
Source: theburlapbag.comSo apparently, you don’t really need all those scented plug-ins, sprays, or automatic dispensers that look like space ships. This recipe couldn’t be easier. It’s just baking soda, with around 8 drops of your favourite essential oil. Give it a shake every now and then to refresh the scent.
January 13, 2013
Source:realsimple.com Prevent necklaces tangling It seems whatever way I pack my jewellery, it’s always a mess when I get to my destination. Until now! Stop necklaces from forming knots by undoing the clasp, threading a straw through and re-clasping. So clever! Just remember to take the straw off before you wear it.
Dry waterlogged gadgets with rice
December 12, 2012Dear Readers:
- He is named after his father, so he is a Jr.
- He was not the executor of the estate, he was just helping his mother.
- Nor did he jointly hold the credit card with his father
Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/11/29/dont-get-stuck-with-debt-that-isnt-yours/#ixzz2Djh25djR
October 22, 2012
Ten Things You Should Not Refrigerate
- Hot Sauce - It can live happily in the pantry for up to three years.
- Potatoes - Refrigeration adversely affects their flavor, so store in the pantry in paper bags (plastic bags trap moisture and speed decay). Most varieties should last three weeks.
- Bread - The refrigerator dries it out fast. Instead, keep what you’ll eat within four days at room temperature and freeze the rest.
- Onions - They like their original mesh bag (or any bag that allows for air circulation) in the pantry. But keep them away from potatoes, which emit moisture and gases that can cause onions to rot.
- Batteries - Stash in a drawer at room temperature. Extreme cold (or heat) can diminish performance.
- Garlic - It will do well for two months in the pantry. Store loose, so air can move around it.
- Tomatoes - They can get mealy in the fridge, so leave them on a counter, out of plastic bags. To speed ripening, store in a paper bag. Once ripe, they’ll last for about three days.
- Coffee - The fridge (and the freezer) create condensation, which can affect the flavor of both ground coffee and coffee beans. Coffee fares best in an airtight container in the pantry.
- Nail Polish - Keeping it in the fridge can cause it to thicken. Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.
- Winter Squashes - Varieties such as acorn, butternut, delicata, and spaghetti will last for about a month or more in the pantry
October 19, 2012
Take Meds With the Right Beverage
Coffee, Green Tea, and Energy Drinks
October 12, 2012
THESE IDEAS COME FROM THEDAILYBUZZ.COM.AU
Cook while you’re not home
Never lose your pen
Source: biancolo.comPut magnets inside a pen and stick it to the fridge and you’ll always have a pen handy. Unscrew the end of your pen, trim the ink straw a little with scissors and put a few small disc magnets inside.
There are lots of reasons to raise your glass for water. H2O is critical for keeping organs, joints, tissues and the digestive system functioning well, but it can also curb hunger, says Elizabeth DeRobertis, MS, RD, CDN, CDE, a registered dietitian in Harrison, NY. In fact, one study showed that participants who drank two cups of water before a meal ate 75 - 90 fewer calories than people who drank no water at all.
Today I came across a web news article that talks about 'baking disasters'. I thought it would be a good article for both the experienced and the novice baker to read. I know I learned a few things! Click on the link below to read the article:
Keep cakes fresh with bread [Helen's hint - to keep cookies soft and fresh - I've done this trick for years]
Use milk bottles for pencil storage
“File” your clothes
Source: apartmenttherapy.comAvoid messy dresser drawers by “filing” your clothing side-by-side instead of stacking items on top of each other. See the before and after at Apartment Therapy.
Make a non-slip dish cloth
Organize Tupperware with CD racks
Gotcha! Find tiny lost items like earrings by putting a stocking over the vacuum hose.
Make an instant cupcake carrier by cutting crosses into a box lid.
Above: hull strawberries easily using a straw..
Via: iheartnaptime.netAdd this item to your beach bag. Baby powder gets sand off your skin easily – who knew?!
Via: marthastewart.comOverhaul your linen cupboard – store bedlinen sets inside one of their own pillowcases and there will be no more hunting through piles for a match.
Via: realsimple.comPump up the volume by placing your iPhone / iPod in a bowl – the concave shape amplifies the music.
Here's Richmond's first rule of thumb: Run anything through the dishwasher that can go into it, including plateware, glassware, flatware, plastic cutting boards, and sponges. Anything that touches raw meat and fish, or their juices or blood, should be placed in the dishwasher immediately. That means if you use a sponge to wipe up the counter where meat juices have spilled, you should toss it right in the dishwasher and get out a clean one. At the very least, your sponges should go into the dishwasher every time you run it. Be sure to keep a backup supply on hand so you are not tempted to use a dirty one.
One thing you can't put through the dishwasher is your hands. Always keep a bar of soap or soap dispenser next to the kitchen sink. To ensure that you are not spreading contaminants, wash your hands thoroughly whenever you enter the kitchen, between each kitchen task, and before you leave the kitchen.
October 10, 2011
June 22, 2011
Shopping Trip to the Grocery Store
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts - $1.99 a pound (Great to use with my Chicken Parmesan Recipe of January 20, 2011.)
- Bottom Round Steak - $2.69 a pound (These are great to use with the recipe I posted on May 19, 2011 - Saucy Skillet Steak or the recipe of December 30, 2010 - Swiss Steak.)
- Ground Chuck - Family pack - $3.29 a pound - hard to believe that the ground chuck cost more than the bottom round steak (Use the ground round with my recipe of February 10, 2011 - Ground Beef Stroganoff)
June 16, 2011
- You will need..1 Gallon of White Vinegar, 1 Cup Kitchen Salt [the cheaper the better] and 6 to 8 drops of dish soap. Pour out 2 cups of the vinegar and save. Add the salt and dish soap to the vinegar. Shake until you can see little or no salt remaining. Pour the mixture into a spray container and spray the weeded area. Take care not to spray any plant you do not want to kill, as this mixture will kill 98% of anything it touches. It will take a little longer to work than products like Roundup but it's safe for pets and humans to be around plus gets the job done.Bonus Cleaner:Pour the 2 cups of vinegar into a spray bottle, add 1 cup of water and 3-5 drops of dish soap. You now have a surface cleaner that will clean windows, counters and bathrooms.
May 14, 2011
As I have mentioned before, I subscribe to a great newsletter, www.HassiesKitchenTable.com. This week she had a couple of tips I thought worth sharing with my readers:
- A handy use for your cell phone is to make your grocery list on your cell phone notepad. Most of us carry it with us at all times, so it's easy to add an item when we remember it plus you do not forget your list when it's time to shop.
- Fly season is coming. To keep flies out of the house, plant Basil in a small pot and place it on the the window seal. Flies move away because of the aromatic scent of the basil plant.
May 10, 2011
March 8, 2011
- Laundry - I use approximately 1/2 cup in the final rinse instead of fabric softener on those items that will be going in the dryer.
- This removes the soap residue, which make can make dark clothes dull; help remove stains (particularly if you pre-treat the clothing prior to washing), prevent yellowing, and actually act like a fabric softener.
- The saving is not buying or using as much of your fabric softener. I do use fabric softener on occasion on those delicate items mostly for the scent, but I still add the white vinegar. It makes my sweaters look great!
- It also is wonderful on removing odors - I have the 'dynamic duo' - my dogs, Beck and Maxine, who are outside most of the day. Needless to say I have the dreaded "dog laundry" - bedding, towels for wiping them off on rainy days, etc. Using the white vinegar really gets rid of the dog order from these items.
- Using the white vinegar in my washer also helps keep the washer and the hoses clean.
- This isn't a laundry tip, but the prior hint above about washing machine hoses reminds me of what my HVAC guy told me to do. Several years ago when we upgraded our HVAC system, I was told that once a month pour 1 cup of bleach down the drain pipe of the unit that goes to the outside. Last year during the annual maintenance, the HVAC guy said to change that cup of bleach to 1 cup of white vinegar. It will do just as good a job keeping the pipe clean, but also, it will better for the environment.
- Personal Care - Why spend money on those special products for dry feet or toe nail fungus. Just do the following:
- Take 1/2 gallon of white vinegar and enough warm (not hot) water to cover your foot. Soak for approximately 20 minutes. Remove and briskly towel dry your foot. Repeat with other foot. Do this approximately 2 to 3 times a week and your feet will be as soft as a petal, and your toe nail fungus will be gone as well as foot odor.
- White vinegar has an antiseptic quality - so it can be used on cuts.
- Sprained your ankle? - use 1 gallon of white vinegar and enough cold tap water to cover your foot. Place your foot in a large brown paper bag (yes, I said a paper bag) and put the bagged foot in the vinegar/water solution. Soak for approximately 20 - 30 minutes. It will feel like you have put your foot in ice without the danger of ice, but it helps reduce the swelling and pain.
March 4, 2011
How many times have you jumped into the shower, shampooed your hair, or used a liquid body wash, and watched all those beautiful suds go down the drain and thinking "Wow, I'm really clean. Look at all those suds!"
1. Use your hair conditioner prior to shampooing your hair. I know that some of you with fine or thin hair stay away from hair conditioners because they make your hair 'flat as a flitter' as my husband would say, however using it before you shampoo will remove a lot of debris that your shampoo can't remove thus making the shampoo work more effectively, and it will not leave your hair flat. Just be sure to rinse the conditioner well from you hair before applying the shampoo.
2. If you have short hair, put a small amount of shampoo in the palm of you hand (about the size of a quarter), rub it between your hands and apply to you hair OR you can do what I recommend for those with long hair. Using a squeeze top plastic bottle (available at most stores like Wal-Mart) fill it with half water and half shampoo. Mix well.
3. Body wash - I keep a pump type plastic bottle in my shower. I fill it with half water and half body wash and mix well. Rather than a washcloth I use one of those nylon round balls with the little rope attachment. These seem to help spread the bubbles better than a washcloth.
December 9, 2010
Identity Theft Information