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Before we get covered up in the garden goods and
ways to deal with all that extra zucchini, I want us to take a
look at a simple, but incredible product that most of us keep
in our kitchens. Whether we use it to help preserve those fresh
veggies, to flavor some of our favorite foods or as a tonic that
great-grandmother passed on down the line, vinegar is one of the
most versatile staples on the shelf.
I am in no way suggesting that you use it for anything other than
what the label prescribes, but I have found numerous resources
that confirm many of its successful uses, inside and outside the
kitchen: If you have a chronic illness or take medications, please
discuss internal use of vinegar with your doctor before you try
any “remedies.”
* Rinse your fruits and vegetables in a solution
of vinegar and water before eating
or preparing the food for cooking.
* Make a better piecrust by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar to
recipe. The crust will be flakier.
* Add a little vinegar when boiling eggs. If there are cracks
in the egg,
it will prevent the whites from leaking out.
* Add a teaspoon of vinegar when poaching eggs to prevent separation.
* When canning or preserving foods, wipe the jars with vinegar.
That will prevent the buildup of mold-producing bacteria.
* To improve the taste of fish when cooking, rinse in a solution
of vinegar and water.
Much of the fishy taste and odor will disappear.
* A spoon full of vinegar added to water when cooking cauliflower
will make it whiter,
and when cooking green vegetables, it will make them greener.
* Add a 1/8 to ¼ cup of cider vinegar when soaking beans
to remove the gas from the beans.
*Cabbage odor can be removed when cooking by adding some vinegar
to the water.
* To make a real fluffy meringue, add one teaspoon of vinegar
to 3 egg whites.
* Clean windows by using a mixture of water and vinegar.
* Dampen a cloth with vinegar to remove stains from chrome and
stainless steel.
* Wipe shower walls and door with vinegar-soaked cloth to remove
and prevent mildew and mold.
* Rinse glasses and dishes with water and vinegar to remove film/spots.
* Add vinegar instead of water to the coffee maker and run the
cycle to remove build-up.
Then add plain water and run through cycle again to rinse.
* To remove build-up from teakettle, add water and vinegar and
let stand overnight.
* Wipe your oven/microwave frequently with vinegar to help prevent
a buildup of grease,
making cleaning much easier.
*Add a little vinegar to the water when mopping tile floors. It
will make them shine and
also act as a deodorant and prevent mold and mildew.
Old-Timey Remedies:
*Wrapping a twisted ankle with a vinegar-soaked cloth can
reduce swelling.
*For skin burns apply ice-cold vinegar compresses immediately,
repeat 3 or 4 times daily to prevent blisters.
*Soak feet in water and ½ cup of vinegar to soften calluses.
Makes trimming toenails and cuticles much easier.
*To ease muscle soreness, add 2 cups of cider vinegar to a hot
tub.
*Apple cider vinegar to infections on the skin. It will help cuts
heal faster
*For sunburns bathe in a tub of lukewarm water to which a cup
or two of apple cider vinegar has been added.
*Ease the discomfort of a sore and/or dry throat by sipping a
syrup made of ½ cup apple
cider vinegar, ½ cup water, 1 tsp cayenne pepper and 3
tbsp honey.
*Relieve itchy skin by patting on apple cider vinegar. Dilute,
if necessary, 4 parts water to 1 part vinegar.
*If taken internally, it can help with digestions, relieve arthritis
stiffness, and
will soothe tight aching muscles and stiff joints.
*Treating stings and bites from bees, wasps and other critters
by immediately
soaking affected area in full-strength vinegar.
*Dilute a tsp of apple cider vinegar to about 8 oz of water at
least three
or more times a day for weight loss
*Drink a tablespoon of vinegar to rid yourself of hiccups.
Don’t forget your copy of “Lovin’ Spoonful
. . . Cooking With Family and Friends,” a compilation
of nearly 400 mouth-watering recipes by Sherrie Norris.
It is available at all locations of High Country Media
– Boone, Banner Elk, West Jefferson, and at The
Avery Journal in Newland, all Boone Drugs, Black Bear
Books, Trailway Laundry, Wilcox Emporium,( top level,
booth 312-W,) and beginning June 15 at Mast Store locations.
EMAIL:
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