Protect roses with bananas
Growing rosebushes in your yard has its rewards when the plant matures and thrives. But in the early stages, it’s key to do whatever you can do to protect the bushes from disease. One handy natural idea is to place banana peels around the perimeter of the plant. The peel is an easily compostable material that will break down and give the rosebush potassium-rich nutrients. This boosts the bush’s natural immune system and lets it fend
frost, drought and other threats that can hurt it in the early stages.
JUICE THAT PRODUCE
When you’re not sure what to do with some fresh produce in the fridge, instead of letting it go bad, consider juicing it to make a single-shot health drink. Yes, you can run fruits and veggies like carrots, apples and oranges through a juicer, but you can also use less-obvious produce that has great health benefits. Cabbage juice is rich in sulfur and iodine, which can have a detoxifying effect. Iceberg lettuce is rich in minerals and water, so it’s hydrating and can help support red blood cells. And have you thought about watermelon rind juice? It’s called “Mother Nature’s Viagra” because it’s rich in an amino acid called citrulline, which dilates blood vessels.
REACTIVATE EXHAUST FILTER
Many kitchen exhaust hoods have a charcoal filter that naturally absorb odors. These filters are disposable and should be replaced over time. But did you know you can also reactivate the charcoal filter and reuse it a few more times? When the filter is full of absorbed odors and residual grease and smoke, simply give it a good wash with dish soap in the sink. Place it in a heated oven set at 200 degrees, and let it dry out for 10 to 15 minutes. Turn off the oven and let the charcoal sit. This reactivates the cleaned charcoal and lets you reuse the filter one more time.
NATURAL DEODORIZER
If reusable food storage containers have taken on a smell of something you stored weeks or months ago, there’s no reason to replace it. Simply create a solution of dried mustard powder and hot water, and let it naturally deodorize the container for you. Dry mustard powder has natural antimicrobial properties that can attack stubborn odors and stains. Use a teaspoon to a tablespoon (depending on the size of the container) of dry mustard powder and hot water to activate the mustard’s natural cleaning properties. Once you rinse out the solution, your container should be
as good as new.
SUN … DOWN
On a bright, sunny day, use the natural warming power of the sun to fluff up your flattened down pillows. Find a sunny place outdoors, and place a large towel or clean tarp on the ground. Lay your pillows — bed pillows, decorative throw and even comforters — on top. Let the hot sun do its magic: It’ll warm the down feathers and help evaporate the trapped moisture inside. As the pillows dry out, they’ll magically fluff up. The sun will naturally deodorize your items, too.
MICROWAVE SAFETY
Here’s another reason to unplug your microwave when you’re not using it: You could start a fire if your microwave accidentally turns on when it’s empty. A microwave uses a magnetron to create electromagnetic waves. It attacks the water molecules in food and creates a vibration, which creates heat and then cooks whatever you’re heating up. If there’s nothing inside the machine that can absorb the electromagnetic waves, they have nowhere to go but back to the magnetron, which can overheat and cause a fire. An unplugged microwave ensures it won’t accidentally turn on.
FURRY BIRD NESTS
Dog and cat owners know their love of animals can also lead to giant mounds of stray pet fur. When you’re brushing your pet, don’t toss the pet hair into the trash. Instead, simply place it outside, where birds may pick up nest-building materials (like pine needles, small sticks or twigs), and let them use it to feather their nest. Yes, birds may avoid the actual cats and dogs, but they love their soft fur. But a word of caution: If your pet has been shampooed with a flea and tick product, don’t share it with our feathered friends.