Interesting Household Uses For Toothpaste

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Sonny Venable

Household uses for toothpaste Toothpaste is a product with a very specific purpose: It’s a cleaning paste for your teeth. But did you know that some of the same ingredients that help keep your teeth clean and healthy can also remove stains, soothe pains, and clean many household items? Check out these surprising tips and tricks that will help you get some extra mileage out of that tube of non-gel toothpaste:

Shiny Diamonds – Use a small amount of toothpaste on a soft-bristled brush and gently rub it onto your diamond jewelry. Wipe off the remaining residue with a damp cloth and appreciate the renewed shine!

Goggle Defogger – This secret is well known within scuba diving circles, and it works amazingly well. Coat the inside and outside of the goggles with toothpaste and then wipe them clean with a wet cloth. Be sure to wipe the goggles thoroughly to remove any excess toothpaste to prevent streaking.

Treat Bee Stings – After removing the stinger from your skin, apply toothpaste directly to the area and let it dry. The toothpaste will create a cooling sensation that helps to relieve the itching.

Crayon Eraser – Kids like to draw on walls, so all parents should know this trick. Apply some toothpaste directly to the markings and start scrubbing with a scrub brush. After the crayon has been rubbed away, rinse the toothpaste residue off with water.

Fix a Scratched CD – This trick is sometimes classified as an urban legend, but it REALLY works! Start by placing a dab of toothpaste near the center of the disc. Using light pressure, smear the toothpaste into the crack in straight lines from the center to the edge of the disc. Wipe off the remaining residue with a damp cloth and wipe the disc dry, always remembering to move from the center of the disc to the outer edge. Check out this article from Make Use Of for an explanation of why this trick actually works.

Chrome Polish – The tiny abrasives found in toothpaste can be used to polish chrome. Rub toothpaste into the chrome using a very soft, dry cloth to help bring back the original shine.

Remove Odors From Hands – Strong and stubborn odors, such as garlic, can remain on your hands for days. Wash your hands and fingernails with toothpaste to deodorize those stinky digits!

Remove Water Rings – Condensation from bottles, cans, and glasses can leave unsightly water stains on your wooden furniture. Gently rub some toothpaste into the stain with a dry cloth. Wipe up the residue with a damp cloth and let it dry completely. Apply furniture polish to the area to help restore the original finish.

Remove Scuffs From Leather – Rub toothpaste directly into the scuffs with a soft cloth and rinse the remaining residue away to help restore the leather’s original look.

Next week, we’ll cover a variety of other interesting household tips and tricks. Leave a comment below if you want to share your own secrets or discuss one of the tips from this article!

Obscure Food Holidays – April

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Sonny Venable

The month of April presents us with another set of unusual and overlooked food-related holidays. Invest some time in experimenting with new recipes and ideas. You may just discover a new favorite food!

National Fresh Florida Tomato Month – The state of Florida is the number one producer of fresh tomatoes in the United States, shipping over a billion pounds of the fruit each year. During the month of April, try to find new and interesting ways to work fresh tomatoes into your diet. For example: Instead of using processed spaghetti or pizza sauce, you can make your own from scratch by using fresh ingredients.

National Soft Pretzel Month – The average American consumes roughly one and a half pounds of pretzels each year. Those in Philadelphia, however, consume ten times more than the national average due to Pennsylvania’s status as the largest producer of pretzels in the United States. The large, soft pretzels that are celebrated in April are typically found in food courts and sports stadiums, but you can also make these delicious snacks at home. Try Alton Brown’s famous recipe that was featured on the television show, Good Eats.

National Bake Week – The first Monday in April marks the beginning of a seven day celebration of the art of baking. So what makes baking so special, exactly? Maybe it’s a combination of all the unique intricacies of the baking process that result in an intoxicating aroma that spreads through the home, all leading up to a final product that can be satisfying on both an emotional and physical level. Lots of love goes into baking, and you can share that love with others for an entire week while trying new recipes. Check out The Joy of Baking, one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly baking resources available.

April 8
National Empanada Day
Empanadas are stuffed pastries that originated in Latin America and Southeast Asia, but you should be able to find a restaurant nearby that offers them. Empanadas are typically stuffed with different combinations of meat, cheese, and vegetables, and then the entire thing is deep fried to create a golden brown pouch of perfection. Celebrate today by eating your first empanada, or try making your own at home if you’re already familiar with the dish.

April 11
National Cheese Fondue Day
Cheese fondue is a traditional Swiss dish that consists primarily of a large pot of melted cheese that is used as a dipping sauce for bread. Other types of fondue, such as chocolate, have also become popular in recent years, but cheese fondue is the focus of this particular holiday. Fondue restaurants can be pricey, so why not invest in your own fondue pot? Check out our variety of fondue supplies to get started.

April 23
National Picnic Day
Have you ever been on a picnic? Have you actually placed a blanket on the ground in a secluded location and shared a basket full of food with loved ones? Why not? This is the perfect opportunity to finally experience a traditional American picnic, so take the time to enjoy nature and remove yourself from the typical lunch environment.

April 25
National Zucchini Bread Day
Zucchini bread is an incredibly moist type of bread with a surprisingly sweet and delicious flavor. The first time I had zucchini bread, I was simply blown away. It honestly tastes nothing like zucchini, and is more akin to banana bread than anything else. Check out this recipe, but only if you want to become a serious fan of zucchini bread.

April 30
National Raisin Day
Raisins… why don’t we just call them dried grapes? We technically do, because raisin is French for “grape.” These little dried fruits are often overlooked in the kitchen, but this holiday can help you to discover a new way to look at raisins. Check out Sunmaid’s history of over 100 years of raisin recipes!

Incredible Household Uses for Vinegar

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Sonny Venable

White distilled vinegar is commonly used in the kitchen to tenderize meat and create delicious sauces and dressings. Vinegar is also a bit of a “miracle cleaner”, as it can kill most bacteria and molds without being toxic to humans. Not only is the cleaning power of vinegar incredibly effective, but the economical benefits are remarkable as well. You can potentially save a ton of money by using vinegar instead of buying multiple specialized products. Fill an old spray bottle with a half-and-half mixture of vinegar and water for a quick and easy cleaning solution! Check out some of these incredibly versatile uses for vinegar that will help you save money and get rid of some of those pesky stains and odors:

Stainless Steel Appliances – Vinegar can be used to remove those stubborn smudges, streaks, and fingerprints from your refrigerator and other kitchen appliances. Instead of spending a fortune on specialized stainless steel cleaning products, you can simply use a small dab of vinegar. Apply the vinegar directly to a soft cloth and gently rub it into the surface of the appliance in a circular motion.

Sticker Removal – There are few things more irritating than stickers that won’t peel off cleanly, especially when you find them on newly purchased dinnerware. Apply vinegar to the stickers until they are completely soaked. Wait 5 – 10 minutes and then peel them off!

Garbage Disposal Cleaner – Is there a funky odor coming from your garbage disposal? Fill up an ice cube tray with a half-and-half mixture of water and vinegar. Once the cubes are frozen, drop them into the running disposal. After the cubes have passed through the system, continue running cold water through the running blades for at least one minute. You can also deodorize your kitchen drains by pouring a cup of vinegar into them once a week. Wait for 30 minutes and then flush the drains with cold water.

Showerhead Cleaner – Mix 1 cup of vinegar with ½ cup of baking soda in a plastic sandwich bag. Fasten the bag around the showerhead with a rubber band and let it sit for at least an hour. Remove the bag and wipe down the showerhead with a damp cloth, then run cold water through the shower.

Grill Cleaner – Spray vinegar directly onto a ball of loosely wadded up aluminum foil. Use the foil to scrub the grill, spraying more vinegar onto the foil as needed.

Grout Cleaner – Pour vinegar directly onto the grout and let it sit for 5 minutes. Scrub the grout with an old toothbrush and wipe it down with cold water and a damp cloth.

Grease Removal – Soak a sponge in vinegar for 5 – 10 minutes. Use the sponge to scrub grease off of a stovetop, oven, or exhaust fan.

Pest Deterrent – You can help keep ants and spiders away by washing floors, countertops, and doors with vinegar on a regular basis.

Clean Cloudy Glassware – Wrap the outside and inside of the glass in paper towels soaked in vinegar. Let the paper towels sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse the glass clean with cold water.

WARNING – Vinegar is a great cleaning solution, but it can’t be used on everything. Always test the vinegar on a small area of what you’re intending to clean. Remember to NEVER use vinegar on marble floors and countertops, as the acid can cause damage to the surface.

Be sure to check back next week when we’ll be taking a look at the practical uses of toothpaste around the home.

What to Put on a Kids Menu

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Sonny Venable

American food culture is changing, and the effects can be seen in the eating habits of families. Generation X parents, on average, are spending 47 percent of their food budget on meals away from the home. This creates a great opportunity for restaurants to expand the menu options for children to attract more customers. With childhood obesity rates climbing to nearly 20 percent in 2011, restaurants have also encountered a growing demand for healthier food options. By recognizing today’s children as tomorrow’s adult customers and by avoiding kids menu clichés, restaurants are finding new ways to be successful in the ever evolving American market.

More Healthy Choices

Yes, there is no doubt that many kids love chicken fingers, grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries, and pizza. These classic kids menu items are still popular, but trends are changing. Studies have shown that three out of four children are open to ordering vegetables at a restaurant, and nearly 86 percent of children polled stated that they would order fruit if it were available. Only 30 percent of parents believe that their children eat healthily at restaurants, even when the children are willing to eat healthy foods at home. The National Restaurant Association partnered with 19 restaurant companies to launch the Kids LiveWell initiative in 2011 to help offer healthier food options to children.

McDonald’s, the fast food giant, became one of the first major restaurant chains to begin offering healthier food options for children. McDonald’s altered the Happy Meal to include a smaller portion of French fries and added apple slices as a replacement to lower the overall calorie count by 20 percent. They plan to continue reducing the overall calorie count of the Happy Meal into the year 2015, and many other fast food chains are emulating this strategy.

Smaller Portions of Adult Items

The concept of a dedicated or limited kids menu is relatively non-existent outside of America, so the idea that children are not interested in eating more ‘sophisticated’ foods is a misconception. Kids love acting and feeling older than they actually are, and food is a great way to make a child feel more mature. We live in a multicultural and multiethnic society, and kids palates are being expanded by the growing popularity of ethnic foods. The explosive popularity of food-based reality shows has also sparked an increase in curiosity and a willingness to experiment with new cuisine. Offering child-size portions of every item on the menu is a simple and effective way to meet the demands of families that are open to trying new flavors. And speaking of flavors, many chefs opt to tone down strong or ‘weird’ spices in smaller portions, as children typically lack the fully-developed ability to distinguish tastes. A child will sometimes need to be exposed to a certain spice 10 to 15 times in order to establish comfort and familiarity.

Kids Menus as a Marketing Technique

Everyone wants to save money on food. The average American family spends 6 percent of their annual budget on food away from home, so discounts and coupons typically have a great impact on which restaurant a family will choose. Many restaurants offer free meals to children under a certain age, but seasonal promotions are also enticing. One of the best times to offer free kids meals is during the summer months, when children are out of school and parents are looking for ways to get them out of the house. Other restaurants sell kids food items at a loss as a way to keep costs low for the family as a whole. A restaurant that is both affordable for parents and attractive to children’s taste buds stands a greater chance of attracting families, but the real importance of appealing to children lies in the long term benefit: the child customer of today will be the adult customer of tomorrow. Winning over your customers at an early age will help to keep your business successful for generations to come.

In summary, kids menus should be more than an afterthought. The foods that you offer to children should consist of varied and healthy items that maintain the feel and identity of your restaurant. Nearly 27 million families in America have children under the age of 13, so ignoring or underestimating this sizeable chunk of your potential customer base is simply bad for business. While it is ultimately up to the parents to decide what is best for their children, it is the responsibility of the restaurant to provide enough choices so that the best decision can be made.

Obscure Food Holidays – March

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Sonny Venable

Food Holidays Welcome to the first entry of our monthly look at some of the most obscure and unique food-related holidays. Let’s show some love for these overlooked holidays by indulging in one of life’s greatest gifts: FOOD!

Meat-Out Month
The entire month of March is home to the Meat-Out Challenge, where everyone is invited to try a strict, vegetarian diet. Meat-Out was first introduced in 1985 by the Farm Animal Rights Movement, and it aims to educate the public on the positives of a diet that focuses on fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. If you’ve ever wanted to experiment with the vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, this is a great month to start!

National Nutrition Month
The American Dietetic Association sponsors this educational campaign that highlights the importance of diet and exercise. As temperatures start to warm up, March marks a great month to get out of the house, start exercising regularly, and really start tackling those New Year’s resolutions.

International Hamburger and Pickle Month
While you’re attempting to avoid meat and eat more healthy foods, March does a complete 180 and forces you to recognize a great American food tradition: the HAMBURGER. Whether you’re cooking juicy patties on your grill at home, or you’re enjoying a gourmet burger at your favorite restaurant, take the time to top it all off with a deliciously crisp dill pickle in celebration of one of the most amazing condiment pairings of all time.

March 1
National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
Peanut butter is delicious, but most people only use it on sandwiches and crackers. Instead of eating peanut butter in the traditional way, why not try a new recipe? Check out this awesome recipe from Peanut Butter Lovers for Edamame Dumplings with Thai Peanut Sauce.

March 6
National Frozen Food Day
This day isn’t about eating a depressing frozen dinner in front of a glowing television screen in your lonely apartment. The point of National Frozen Food Day is to recognize the importance of the technological advancements that have been made in the realm of food preservation and storage. Lives have been saved because of this wonderful implementation of Science, so take the time to pay your respects to Clarence Birdseye, the man responsible for developing the quick-freezing process that we still use today.

March 9
National Crabmeat Day
Imitation crabmeat is a crime against humanity. Do yourself a favor and seek out the real deal on this day of the month. If you can’t find anything other than standard crab legs, head to your local seafood grocer and buy some crabmeat to cook at home. Try this recipe from Cajun Daughters for Crabmeat Casserole if you want to experience a taste of Louisiana.

March 27
National Spanish Paella Day
Paella is a rice dish that typically consists of chicken, beans, green vegetables, paprika, and rosemary. Saffron is used to give the rice a beautiful golden color, and the dish is best when cooked over an open flame. Find a local restaurant that sells authentic Spanish paella and you won’t be disappointed!

March 30
Turkey Neck Soup Day
Take the time to celebrate the fact that we live in a world where eating turkey neck soup is a choice, not a requirement.

March 31
Tater Day
According to the UN, “the potato yields more nutritious food more quickly on less land and in harsher climates than any other major crop.” To put it simply: Potatoes are incredible. It is nearly impossible to find a restaurant that doesn’t sell potatoes in some form or another. Help make Tater Day unique by experiencing this familiar vegetable in an unfamiliar way. Check out this zesty recipe from Many Faces of Potatoes for Easy Peasy Bombay Potato Curry.

Dangerous Foods For Your Pet – Part 2

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Sonny Venable

Last week, we provided you with a list of foods that are unsafe for your cat or dog. This week, we continue the list with several foods that you should also avoid. Some of these may even surprise you!

Raw Fish – Like milk, raw fish is commonly associated with cats. A freshly caught fish contains a large amount of Thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys vitamin B1. The cooking process destroys Thiaminase, erasing the potential dangers of B1 deficiency. It’s true that cats love fish, but you should always make sure that it’s thoroughly cooked before you feed it to your pet.

Walnuts & Macadamia Nuts – Walnuts are unique in that they sometimes carry a certain type of mold that can be deadly to small animals. Store-bought walnuts do not pose much of a threat, but fresh walnuts that fall from a tree can be far more dangerous. Macadamia nuts, on the other hand, contain a toxin that can make your pet extremely ill. Symptoms of poisoning from macadamia nuts include muscle weakness, paralysis, increased heart rate, and vomiting.

Meat Scraps – Leftovers and scraps from the dinner table create a less obvious risk for pets. While it may seem perfectly safe for a dog to eat a bone or two, hundreds of dogs die each year by choking on cooked bones or by receiving internal injuries from bone fragments. Chicken and turkey skin, as well as other high-fat meats, can lead to pancreatitis.

Nutmeg – High levels of nutmeg can cause seizures, tremors, and death in animals. Chefs typically use ground nutmeg seed, but the stems, roots, and leaves of the nutmeg tree are also just as toxic to dogs and cats.

Raw Egg Whites – Avidin, the protein found in raw egg whites, creates issues with vitamin B absorption in cats. Vitamin B deficiency can result in various skin and coat problems.

Avocados – This unique fruit contains Persin, an acid derivative that has been known to cause breathing and heart issues in dogs and cats. You should definitely avoid sharing your leftover Mexican takeout food with your pet, as guacamole consists primarily of avocados.

Liver – How can liver be dangerous for pets when it’s used in so many dog foods? Liver is actually fine in small amounts, but it contains a very high percentage of vitamin A that can cause long term bone and joint damage.

Alcohol – The Ethanol that is found in alcoholic beverages is especially toxic to small animals. Dogs and cats can become intoxicated just like humans, but Ethanol poisoning can actually lead to slowed respiratory rates, cardiac arrest, or death.

What To Do In A Food Emergency – Contact your veterinarian with specific details regarding the exact food and how much was ingested by your pet. If you are unsure of the food that was consumed, make note of the symptoms that your pet is displaying and seek immediate help. You can contact a local veterinarian or animal hospital as well as the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Dangerous Foods For Your Pet – Part 1

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Sonny Venable

Dangerous food for pets at Instawares.com Our pets are often considered members of the family, and it can be very difficult to consistently make the right decisions regarding the foods that they eat. Like us, animals receive pleasure from eating foods that taste great. The temptation to share this pleasure with your furry friend can be hard to avoid, especially during family gatherings and holidays when love and leftovers are abundant. Unfortunately, some animals simply cannot process and digest the chemicals found in certain foods, and other foods that are harmless to us may actually be considered poisonous to a dog or cat. Here are some of the most potentially dangerous household foods that you should avoid feeding your cat or dog:

Chocolate – Chocolate is typically the first thing that springs to mind when someone mentions dangerous foods for pets. Chocolate contains a stimulant known as Theobromine that is naturally found in cocoa beans. Consuming too much of the stimulant can result in diarrhea, vomiting, increased heart rate, seizures, and even death. But how much is too much? While it is true that chocolate can be toxic for your pet, ingesting a small amount is not necessarily deadly. Different types of chocolate contain different levels of Theobromine, and the size of your pet is also important to consider. White chocolate contains the least amount of the stimulant, while cocoa and baking chocolate contain very high amounts. A 10 pound dog can potentially consume up to a quarter pound of milk chocolate before getting sick, but the same dog would only need to consume a single ounce of baking chocolate to become poisoned. Play it safe. Never feed chocolate to your pet!

Caffeine – Much like chocolate, products that contain caffeine should be avoided at all times. Be wary of any coffee pots or half-empty soda cans sitting around the kitchen.

Xylitol – A common sweetener found in candy products, Xylitol causes an excess secretion of insulin that can result in hypoglycemia and liver failure. People rarely feed candy to their pets, but there may be a candy dish on your coffee table that is within reach. Remember that pets don’t always consume only the foods that you specifically provide for them.

Grapes & Raisins – When you think about the perfect snack for a dog or cat, you probably won’t be thinking of grapes or raisins. You also wouldn’t assume that these two food items are almost as dangerous as chocolate, as they can lead to vomiting, kidney failure, and even death. The jury is still out on what actually causes grapes to be so toxic, but the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center advises against feeding these items to your pet in any amount.

Onions & Garlic – Despite the obvious side effect of somehow making a dog’s breath even worse than normal, onions and garlic can cause the destruction of red blood cells and kidney failure. While you may not feed these to your dog directly, there may be a sizeable quantity of onions and garlic found in the ingredients of other foods. Check the label!

Milk – Cartoons and movies have helped to promote the assumption that cats and milk are a natural combination. Many cats, as well as a large majority of dogs, lack the ability to digest milk properly. So unless you have a stack of carpet cleaning coupons that you want to burn through, you should definitely avoided feeding milk to your indoor pet.

Next week, we’ll take a look at several other unsafe foods for your pet that may surprise you.

Dangerous Foods For Your Pet – Part 2