BACON
- To keep bacon slices from sticking together, roll the package into a tube and secure the tube with a rubber band before refrigerating.
- Before frying - and to stop the fat spitting, remove the rind and dust with plain flour. The rashers will not curl either.
BAKING POWDER - see:
Burnt pans - Buttermilk and Butter - Carpet odours - Chopping Board - Chrome Descale kettle Deodoriser - Drain cleaner - Eggs - Exfoliate - Frizzy drinks - Flowers Furniture stains - Grease stains - Jewellery - Mattresses - Milk (sour) - Mildew
Mosquito bites - Nails (finger nails) - Piano keys - Shampoo - Teeth whitening
Burnt pans - Buttermilk and Butter - Carpet odours - Chopping Board - Chrome Descale kettle Deodoriser - Drain cleaner - Eggs - Exfoliate - Frizzy drinks - Flowers Furniture stains - Grease stains - Jewellery - Mattresses - Milk (sour) - Mildew
Mosquito bites - Nails (finger nails) - Piano keys - Shampoo - Teeth whitening
BAMBOO
Clean bamboo with a soft brush dipped in salted water. When dry rub with a little linseed oil and dry it off in the sun.
Clean bamboo with a soft brush dipped in salted water. When dry rub with a little linseed oil and dry it off in the sun.
BANANAS
1. Put bananas in the fridge to keep the flesh firm - however, the skins will blacken.
2. Separate the bananas before placing them in your fruit bowl. If they are left on their stem,
they will ripen too fast.
3. When the bananas are over-rip, peel, slice and lay them on a tray in the freezer. When frozen,
take them out and blend. This will make marvellous banana ice-cream.
4. Using the inside of the peel, gently rub around your teeth for about 2 minutes. The peel's
minerals will help to polish and whiten your teeth.
5. If you have trouble sleeping, don't count the sheep, eat a banana. Bananas contain the
natural muscle-relaxants, magnesium and potassium.
6. Eating two bananas a day helps to keep control your high blood pressure.
7. To deter aphids around your garden plants, cut up banana peel and bury them 1-2 inches into
the soil around the plant.
8. Shine your houseplant leaves using the inside of the banana skin. The dust will cling to the
skin and the juice will nourish the leaves.
9. Shine your shoes using the inside of a banana skin.
10. Banana skins placed on chicken breast, keep the meat tender during cooking.
11. Eating bananas will lift your mood and fight depression.
12. Eating bananas can increase your brain power.
13. Include bananas in your diet to help with constipation without the need to resort to a laxative.
14. Make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey, to cure a hangover. The banana calms the
stomach and the honey builds up depleted blood sugar levels whilst the milk rehydrates and
soothes your system.
15. Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, eat a
banana for soothing relief.
16. Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar up and avoid morning sickness.
17. Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a
banana skin. It can reduce the swelling and the irritation.
18. Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.
19. Place banana skins at the base of your rose bushes. The roses like the potassium.
20. Eating bananas neutralises over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining the stomach.
This will help with soothing your ulcers.
21. Many cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and
emotional temperature. In Thailand, for instance, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure that
their babies are born with cool temperatures.
22. If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), eat bananas as they contain the natural
mood enhancer, tryptophan.
23. Bananas can help you give up smoking. The B6 and B12 contained in bananas - as well as the
potassium and magnesium, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
24. The potassium in bananas will help to normalise the heartbeat, send oxygen to the brain and
regulate your body's water balance. When stressed, the metabolic rate rises, reducing
potassium levels, take a high potassium banana snack.
25. Eat bananas regularly as part of your diet to cut the risk of death by a stroke.
26. Warts can be killed off by taking a piece of banana skin and placing it on the wart, inner side
on the wart. Keep the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape.
27. Polish your silver with the inside of the banana skin.
A banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. Maybe it’s time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"
1. Put bananas in the fridge to keep the flesh firm - however, the skins will blacken.
2. Separate the bananas before placing them in your fruit bowl. If they are left on their stem,
they will ripen too fast.
3. When the bananas are over-rip, peel, slice and lay them on a tray in the freezer. When frozen,
take them out and blend. This will make marvellous banana ice-cream.
4. Using the inside of the peel, gently rub around your teeth for about 2 minutes. The peel's
minerals will help to polish and whiten your teeth.
5. If you have trouble sleeping, don't count the sheep, eat a banana. Bananas contain the
natural muscle-relaxants, magnesium and potassium.
6. Eating two bananas a day helps to keep control your high blood pressure.
7. To deter aphids around your garden plants, cut up banana peel and bury them 1-2 inches into
the soil around the plant.
8. Shine your houseplant leaves using the inside of the banana skin. The dust will cling to the
skin and the juice will nourish the leaves.
9. Shine your shoes using the inside of a banana skin.
10. Banana skins placed on chicken breast, keep the meat tender during cooking.
11. Eating bananas will lift your mood and fight depression.
12. Eating bananas can increase your brain power.
13. Include bananas in your diet to help with constipation without the need to resort to a laxative.
14. Make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey, to cure a hangover. The banana calms the
stomach and the honey builds up depleted blood sugar levels whilst the milk rehydrates and
soothes your system.
15. Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, eat a
banana for soothing relief.
16. Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar up and avoid morning sickness.
17. Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a
banana skin. It can reduce the swelling and the irritation.
18. Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.
19. Place banana skins at the base of your rose bushes. The roses like the potassium.
20. Eating bananas neutralises over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining the stomach.
This will help with soothing your ulcers.
21. Many cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and
emotional temperature. In Thailand, for instance, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure that
their babies are born with cool temperatures.
22. If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), eat bananas as they contain the natural
mood enhancer, tryptophan.
23. Bananas can help you give up smoking. The B6 and B12 contained in bananas - as well as the
potassium and magnesium, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
24. The potassium in bananas will help to normalise the heartbeat, send oxygen to the brain and
regulate your body's water balance. When stressed, the metabolic rate rises, reducing
potassium levels, take a high potassium banana snack.
25. Eat bananas regularly as part of your diet to cut the risk of death by a stroke.
26. Warts can be killed off by taking a piece of banana skin and placing it on the wart, inner side
on the wart. Keep the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape.
27. Polish your silver with the inside of the banana skin.
A banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. Maybe it’s time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"
BEANS AND PULSES
Beans and pulses may be soaked by placing them in a microwave-proof bowl, cover with water and microwave on HIGH for about 10 minutes. Follow this by simmering on DEFROST for 30-40 minutes.
Beans and pulses may be soaked by placing them in a microwave-proof bowl, cover with water and microwave on HIGH for about 10 minutes. Follow this by simmering on DEFROST for 30-40 minutes.
BEDDING
Store your bedsheets inside their pillowcases. Easy storage and access.
Store your bedsheets inside their pillowcases. Easy storage and access.
BEE STINGS
- To remove bee stings easily - without using tweezers our a needle - cover the splinter with cellotape, then pull it off. This method will remove most splinters both easily and painlessly.
- If you are being attacked by a swarm of bees, hold your breath for as long as you can. Bees are attracted to carbon dioxide.
BEER
1. Leftover beer can be used in cooking. Store in an airtight jar and add a little sugar to stop it going flat.
2. To remove beer stains from clothing, soak in white vinegar, rinse and wash in hot soapy water.
1. Leftover beer can be used in cooking. Store in an airtight jar and add a little sugar to stop it going flat.
2. To remove beer stains from clothing, soak in white vinegar, rinse and wash in hot soapy water.
BEETROOT
To keep beetroots a brighter red, cook them whole with two inches of stem. Add a little vinegar to the cooking water to prevent fading.
To keep beetroots a brighter red, cook them whole with two inches of stem. Add a little vinegar to the cooking water to prevent fading.
BISCUITS
To keep them fresh in the tin, line the bottom of the tin with blotting paper.
To keep them fresh in the tin, line the bottom of the tin with blotting paper.
BLEACH
To remove the smell of bleach from hands, put your fingers on the hand of a stainless-steel spoon. Run cold water over the fingers while rubbing gently.
To remove the smell of bleach from hands, put your fingers on the hand of a stainless-steel spoon. Run cold water over the fingers while rubbing gently.
BIRO or FELT TIP STAINS
Dab gently with white spirit on a clean clean cloth before washing.
Dab gently with white spirit on a clean clean cloth before washing.
BLISTERS
Apply baby oil to the sore place.
Apply baby oil to the sore place.
BLOOD PRESSURE
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood high pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood high pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
BLOOD STAINS
Soak immediately in cold water with salt added. Do not use warm or hot water. Let the item soak for about an hour, then wash in warm water.
Soak immediately in cold water with salt added. Do not use warm or hot water. Let the item soak for about an hour, then wash in warm water.
BODY SCRUB
To remove dead skin cells and stimulate the circulation, mix together 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of coarse ground oatmeal and a handful of dried herbs - thyme, rosemary, mint, oregano, etc) and rub into damp skin.
To remove dead skin cells and stimulate the circulation, mix together 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of coarse ground oatmeal and a handful of dried herbs - thyme, rosemary, mint, oregano, etc) and rub into damp skin.
BOILING WATER
Place a wooden spoon over a pan to stop the water from boiling over.
Place a wooden spoon over a pan to stop the water from boiling over.
BOTTLE / VASE CLEANER
For those hard-to-clean bottles, fill the bottle half full of warm water and add one or two tablespoons of uncooked rice. Seal the top and give it a good and vigorous shake for a few minutes. Repeat until clean.
For those hard-to-clean bottles, fill the bottle half full of warm water and add one or two tablespoons of uncooked rice. Seal the top and give it a good and vigorous shake for a few minutes. Repeat until clean.
BRAIN POWER
Two hundred students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school (England) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break and lunch, in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Two hundred students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school (England) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break and lunch, in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
BRASS
In damp weather, brass will tarnish.
In damp weather, brass will tarnish.
- Straight lemon juice can be used to clean brass and bring back shine. After cleaning with lemon juice, wipe with damp cloth and buff dry.
- Place some ketchup on a clean cloth and rub over tarnished brass. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and buff dry.
- If your brass item is dusty or dirty rather than tarnished, submerging it in warm soapy water and cleaning with a soft cloth could do the trick. Use a toothbrush to gently scrub extra dirty areas.
- Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt into one-half cup of vinegar, and add flour until the mixture becomes a paste. Rub into the brass, leave for about 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water and buff dry. You can also apply a little petroleum jelly with a soft cloth. Polish and dry.
- Heat a pint of water, and add 2 tablespoons each of salt and white vinegar to create another natural recipe for polishing tarnished brass. Rub the mixture onto the brass, then dry with a clean rag.
BRASIL (BRAZIL) NUTS
Shelling Brasil Nuts is much easier if they have been frozen. The shells then become brittle and the nuts will come out whole.
Shelling Brasil Nuts is much easier if they have been frozen. The shells then become brittle and the nuts will come out whole.
BREAD BIN
To prevent mould forming in your bread container, wash the container using a solution of one tablespoon of vinegar to one pint of warm water.
To prevent mould forming in your bread container, wash the container using a solution of one tablespoon of vinegar to one pint of warm water.
BREADCRUMBS
To dry fresh breadcrumbs, place 2 cups of crumbs over a paper towel on a microwave-proof plate. Microwave on HIGH for approximately 2 to 3 minutes, stir during cooking and allow to cool before storing.
To dry fresh breadcrumbs, place 2 cups of crumbs over a paper towel on a microwave-proof plate. Microwave on HIGH for approximately 2 to 3 minutes, stir during cooking and allow to cool before storing.
BROOM and MOP HANDLES
Cut a finger from an old rubber glove and slip over the top of the broom or mop handle. This will prevent it
falling over when leaned against a wall.
Cut a finger from an old rubber glove and slip over the top of the broom or mop handle. This will prevent it
falling over when leaned against a wall.
BROWN SUGAR
- To keep brown sugar soft by storing with a couple of marshmallows.
- When soft brown sugar has hardened, empty contents into a bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Leave overnight.
BURNS, CUTS AND SCALDS - Minor
Keep an Aloe Vera plant in a pot in the kitchen. It is the best treatment for minor cuts, burns and scalds. Cut an inch long piece from a leaf, peel back the skin and squeeze the juice onto the affected area. This will cool the skin and reduce the stinging. Aloe Vera dries quickly and guards the wound against any airborne bacteria. Alternatively, always have a tube of Aloe Vera Gel in your first aid kit for its quick, soothing and healing properties.
Keep an Aloe Vera plant in a pot in the kitchen. It is the best treatment for minor cuts, burns and scalds. Cut an inch long piece from a leaf, peel back the skin and squeeze the juice onto the affected area. This will cool the skin and reduce the stinging. Aloe Vera dries quickly and guards the wound against any airborne bacteria. Alternatively, always have a tube of Aloe Vera Gel in your first aid kit for its quick, soothing and healing properties.
BURNT PANS
Sprinkle burnt pans liberally with baking soda and just enough water to moisten. Let it stand for several hours. Generally, the burnt portion will scrape off the pan.
Sprinkle burnt pans liberally with baking soda and just enough water to moisten. Let it stand for several hours. Generally, the burnt portion will scrape off the pan.
BUTTER
1. If you are making a lot of sandwiches, beat a little warm milk into the butter to soften it and
make it go further.
2. Cream the butter and then mix it with the filling to make an all-in-one spread.
3. Rancid butter becomes edible if it is soaked for about 3 hours in cold water with a teaspoon of
baking powder.
4. Out of butter? Whisk a cup of double cream and a few ice cubes in your food processor. This
will churn the cream, separating out the butterfat and creating white, unsalted butter. Strain off
the liquid and the butter is ready to use.
1. If you are making a lot of sandwiches, beat a little warm milk into the butter to soften it and
make it go further.
2. Cream the butter and then mix it with the filling to make an all-in-one spread.
3. Rancid butter becomes edible if it is soaked for about 3 hours in cold water with a teaspoon of
baking powder.
4. Out of butter? Whisk a cup of double cream and a few ice cubes in your food processor. This
will churn the cream, separating out the butterfat and creating white, unsalted butter. Strain off
the liquid and the butter is ready to use.
BUTTERMILK
If you are unable to purchase buttermilk, make your own by mixing a teaspoon of baking power to each half pint of milk.
If you are unable to purchase buttermilk, make your own by mixing a teaspoon of baking power to each half pint of milk.
BUTTONS
Before wearing a new garment with buttons, dot the centre of each button with clear nail varnish. The will lengthen the life of the cotton.
Before wearing a new garment with buttons, dot the centre of each button with clear nail varnish. The will lengthen the life of the cotton.
