 |
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
| |
| Stocking & Cleaning The 'Fridge: Plus A Dozen Uses for Baking Soda |
Stocking
the RefrigeratorI can't count how many times that I have gone to the refrigerator to get ingredients to prepare a meal, and have been faced with empty cartons, dishes, and wrappers. So I try to watch the sales at the grocery store, and stock up on the items that I use everyday, like butter or margarine, milk, eggs, cheese and more. Add these items to your grocery list, as well as yogurt, lemons, parsley and any other fresh herbs you use most often. And of course, potatoes, onions, and garlic. Also an assorted selection of frozen vegetables and some fruits are recommended for the time that you don't have anything fresh on hand. General Shopping Suggestions NEVER shop while you're hungry. You might come home with cookies, potato chips, and 6 flavors of soft drinks instead of the chicken and veggies you were really supposed to get for dinner. Bet the kids would love it, though! Plan your meals in advance, and make a shopping list to correspond. Watch your sale papers and clip coupons. You'd be amazed how much you save if you shop frugally. Brand names are more expensive than generic brands, and many times the taste and quality are the same. Only you will know the difference. Economy and bulk size products can be more expensive. Make sure that you really want that 10 pound can of sauerkraut, and have uses for the leftovers. Bigger does not always mean better. Cleaning the 'fridge and A Dozen Uses for Baking Soda You walk in the house and smell a strange odor. You check the garbage can, the dog, then the kids. Nope, not any of them. You sigh. It has to be the refrigerator. Could be that plastic container of...well, you don't know what, or the foil wrapped lump of something that has been back there for at least six months? You really don't want to know, but it's got to be cleaned out for once and for all! It's just not too high on the "to do" list of household chores. I'd say that it's probably about as much fun as cleaning the oven. Okay, so nobody needs to tell you how to clean the fridge. It's a chore, it's got to be done. All pretty basic...suit up and dive in. But there's also no reason you can't get the family involved! We've been known to turn it into a guessing game. "What is it, and how long has it been in there?" Then there's, "Which one smells the worst and how fast can you run it to the trash bin." Usually followed by a trip to McDonalds until the house clears. Try these helpful tips from ACE Hardware to keep your refrigerator smelling fresh: To help eliminate odors, fill a small bowl with charcoal (the kind used for potted plants) and place it on a shelf in the refrigerator. It will absorb odors rapidly. An open box of baking soda will absorb odors for at least a month or two. A little vanilla poured on a piece of cotton and placed in the refrigerator will eliminate odors. To prevent mildew from forming, wipe with vinegar. The acid effectively kills the mildew fungus. Pull the refrigerator/freezer out three to four times a year to clean underneath. Use your vacuum on the front of the coils and motor to remove dust and dirt. Keeping the coils clean will make your refrigerator last longer and work better. Do not forget to unplug the refrigerator while doing this. A Dozen Things To Do with Baking Soda by Kellie Head 1. Wipe shower curtains with baking soda on a damp sponge to remove mildew. 2. Clean copper pots with a paste of baking soda and lemon juice; rinse and dry. 3. Flush 1 cup of baking soda down the toilet once a week to keep the septic tank clear. 4. To remove burned or stuck food from pots, pans and casseroles (anything but aluminum), cover the burned food liberally with baking soda, cover with hot water and soak 10 minutes or longer. 5. To absorb oil and grease from a garage floor, cover the spot with a layer of baking soda alone or baking soda mixed with cornmeal or mason's sand. Let it sit overnight. Sweep up. Any traces of stain can be cleaned by wetting and scouring with baking soda and a scrub brush. 6. Sprinkle a little baking soda inside rubber gloves to make them easier to put on. 7. To check whether baking soda is still active before baking, mix 1/4 teaspoon with 2 teaspoons of vinegar. If it bubbles, it's still good. 8. To unclog a drain, mix 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of baking soda. Pour it into the drain, then follow with a pot of boiling water. 9. To remove cigarette burns or coffee stains, rub with a damp cloth dipped in baking soda. 10. Add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to cranberries while cooking and you will need less sugar. 11. Use a paste of baking soda to remove black heel marks from a vinyl floor. 12. Add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to high-fat gravy for better consistency. |
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
Let's Get Cooking!
