Miracles

Apple cider vinegar (acetic acid), otherwise known as cider vinegar or ACV, is a type of vinegar made from cider or apple mush and has a pale to medium amber color. Unpasteurized or organic ACV contains the mother of vinegar, which has a cobweb-like appearance and can make the vinegar look slightly congealed.

ACV is used in salad dressings, marinades, vinaigrettes, food preservatives, and chutneys. It is made by crushing apples and squeezing out the liquid. Bacteria and yeast are added to the liquid to start the alcoholic fermentation process, and the sugars are turned into alcohol. In a second fermentation process, the alcohol is converted into vinegar by acetic acid-forming bacteria (acetobacter). Acetic acid and malic acid give vinegar its sour taste.

(Source: Wikipedia.com)

The Miracle of Apple Cider Vinegar
(Source: Paul C. Bragg Publication)

Apple cider vinegar helps to...

Maintain a youthful, vibrant body
Fight germs and bacteria
Retard the onset of old age
Clean out arterial plaque
Regulate calcium metabolism
Keep blood the right consistency
Regulate women's menstruation
Normalize the urine pH
Facilitate digestion, assimilation, and pH balance
Relieve sore throats, laryngitis
Ease sinus, asthma, and flu
Maintain healthy skin; soothes sunburn
Prevent itching scalp, dry hair, and dandruff
Fight arthritis
Remove toxins and crystals from joints, tissues, and organs
Control and normalize weight
Break up kidney stones

Petroleum jelly (also called petrolatum) is a mixture of mineral oils  and waxes, which form a semisolid jelly-like substance. This product  hasn’t changed much since Robert Augustus Chesebrough discovered it in  1859. Chesebrough noticed that oil workers would use a gooey jelly to  heal their wounds and burns. He eventually packaged this jelly as  Vaseline. 

Petroleum jelly’s benefits come from its main  ingredient petroleum, which helps seal your skin with a water-protective  barrier. This helps your skin heal and retain moisture. Read on to  learn what else you can use petroleum jelly for. To save on skin care, dermatologists recommend using petroleum jelly to:

1. Relieve dry skin, including your lips and eyelids. (Do not use on acne-prone skin) Dry skin can flake, itch, crack and even bleed. Since ointments are  more effective and less irritating than lotions, consider applying  petroleum jelly to dry skin, including your lips and eyelids. The skin  on your eyelids is the thinnest skin on the body and can get irritated  easily. If your eyelids get dry and flaky, apply a small amount of  petroleum jelly for moisture and protection. For the best results,  always apply petroleum jelly when your skin is damp.
2. Help injured skin heal. For minor wounds such as cuts, scrapes, and scratches, use petroleum  jelly to keep the wound moist. This helps prevent the wound from drying  out and forming a scab, as scabs take longer to heal. This will also  help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy. As long as  the wound is cleaned daily, it is not necessary to use anti-bacterial  ointments.
3. Prevent chafing. Chafing is a  painful skin irritation that occurs when body parts rub together or rub  against clothing. To prevent chafing that can lead to blisters, apply  petroleum jelly to problem areas, such as the feet or thighs.
4. Treat diaper rash. The best way to prevent diaper rash is to keep your baby’s skin as dry  and clean as possible. However, if your baby does get a rash, apply  petroleum jelly during each diaper change. With the right care, your  baby’s rash should clear in about three to four days. If the rash  doesn’t go away, see a board-certified dermatologist.
5. Rehydrates nails.  If you frequently get manicures and pedicures, apply petroleum jelly to  your nails and cuticles in between polishes. This will minimize  brittleness and help prevent your nails from chipping. 
6. Heal minor skin scrapes and burns. Petroleum jelly is effective in keeping skin moist during  post-surgery healing. This may be particularly good for regular, less  dramatic skin injuries.  Make sure that the surface you apply petroleum jelly on is properly  cleaned and disinfected. Otherwise, bacteria and other pathogens can get  trapped inside and delay the healing process.

Other Uses...

1. Help for pet paws
2. Your dog’s pad skin can crack and  produce a great deal of discomfort. Clean their paws with cotton gauze,  dry, and apply the jelly. Ideally this should be done after a walk or  when your pet is resting. Only use a small amount as your pet may lick  their paws, and consuming too much could cause an upset stomach. 
3. Remove eye makeup. Oil is an effective way to remove makeup, and petroleum jelly is safe to use in the eye area. 
4. Saves split ends. Sun and wind  exposure as well as pool water can dry up your hair. Petroleum jelly can  reduce the look of split ends and add shine to your hair. Rub a small  amount of jelly between your palms and apply to hair ends.
5. Prevent skin stains from hair dye or nail polish.  Spread jelly along your hairline to prevent hair dye from staining  your skin. This also works if you like to paint your nails at home. A  barrier of petroleum jelly is easy to wipe away when you’re done.
6. Preserve perfume scents.  Using petroleum jelly as a base for your perfume can help it last longer. 
7. Use as lube for stuck objects.  If  a ring is stuck on your finger, put some jelly on your finger, making  sure you get some around and under the ring. This will help the ring  slip off your finger.
8. For door hinges, apply a bit of jelly right on the hinge and swing the door a few times to spread evenly. Wipe off the excess. 

Dangers of petroleum jelly...

While  petroleum jelly has many benefits, it should be for external use only.  Do not eat or insert petroleum jelly. Avoid using petroleum jelly for  masturbation or as a vaginal lubricant. 

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is major staple in households around the world.

With more than 50 baking soda uses and baking soda benefits, it is an inexpensive alternative for everything from daily hygiene products, to household cleaners.

Sodium bicarbonate (IUPAC name: sodium hydrogen carbonate), commonly known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3. It is a salt composed of a sodium cation (Na+) and a bicarbonate anion (HCO3−). Sodium bicarbonate is a white solid that is crystalline, but often appears as a fine powder. It has a slightly salty, alkaline taste resembling that of washing soda (sodium carbonate). The natural mineral form is nahcolite. It is a component of the mineral natron and is found dissolved in many mineral springs. (Source: Wikipedia.com)

The Miracle of Bicarbonate of Soda
(Source: 50+ Amazing Uses of Baking Soda (tipsbulletin.com))

Baking Soda helps to...

Baking Soda Uses for Cleaning
Clean Your Bathtub
Deodorize Your Refrigerator
Clean and Unclog Drains
Add to the Dishwasher or Use as a Cleaner in the Bathroom
Extinguish Grease Fires
Deodorize Shoes
Closet Freshener
Deodorize the Cat Box
Deodorize Your Cutting Boards
Deodorize Trashcans
Clean the Inside of Your Dishwasher
Deodorize Garbage Disposals
Deodorize Recycling Bin
Deodorize Kid’s Lunch Boxes
Deodorize Carpets and Clean a Mattress

Clean the Pool

Baking Soda Benefits for Health
Natural Deodorant
Face Exfoliator
Hand Softener
Soothe Tired Feet
Relieve Itchy Skin
Remove Splinters
Clean Your Hair Brush and Wig
Clean Your Hair with Baking Soda
Soothe Bug Bites
Relieve a Sunburn
Clean Your Teeth with Homemade Baking Soda Toothpaste
Whiten Your Teeth
Freshen Your Mouth and Heal Canker Sore Faster
Enhance Your Exercise
Improve Kidney Function
Reduce Ulcer Pain

  Borax (also referred to as sodium borate, tincal(/ˈtɪŋkəl/) and tincar (/ˈtɪŋkər/) is a salt (ionic compound), a hydrated or anhydrous borate of sodium, with the chemical formula Na2H20B4O17.  It is a colorless crystalline solid, that dissolves in water to make a basic solution.

It is commonly available in powder or granular form and has many industrial and household uses, including as a pesticide, as a metal soldering flux, as a component of glass, enamel, and pottery glazes, for tanning of skins and hides, for artificial aging of wood, as a preservative against wood fungus, and as a pharmaceutic alkalizer. In chemical laboratories, it is used as a buffering agent.

The terms tincal and tincar refer to native borax, historically mined from dry lake beds in various parts of Asia.  Borax was first discovered in dry lake beds in Tibet. Native tincal from Tibet, Persia, and other parts of Asia was traded via the Silk Road to the Arabian Peninsula in the 8th century AD. 

Borax first came into common use in the late 19th century when Francis Marion Sith's Pacific Coast Borax Compay began to market and popularize a large variety of applications under the 20 Mule Team Borax trademark, named for the method by which borax was originally hauled out of the California and Nevada deserts. - -source: wikipedia

Surprising Household Uses for Borax

1.  Homemade Dishwasher Detergent - With Borax and a few additional ingredients, such as Washing Soda and Lemi-Shine, you can make your own homemade dishwasher detergent.  Find the full tutorial at TheGraciousWife.com.

2.  Laundry Booster - Add half of a cup of Borax to each load of laundry with your normal laundry detergent for an extra fresh and clean boost.  For more information, visit frugalliving.about.com.

3.  Homemade Laundry Detergent - With just three ingredients, including Borax, you can create your own frugal, natural, homemade laundry detergent. For the full recipe and tutorial, head to DIYNatural.com.

4.  Bug Killer and Repellent - Lightly sprinkle borax around affected areas to repel and kill pests such as ants, roaches, and fleas.

5. Rust Remover - Remove rust and rust stains using a simple mixture of Borax and lemon juice. Find the full recipe as well as other rust removal recipes at hearts.com.

6.  Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner - Using common household ingredients, including Borax, hydrogen peroxide, and vinegar, you can make a powerful and effective homemade all-purpose cleaner.  Find the full recipe at TheThriftCouple.com.

7.  Toilet Bowl Cleaner - To clean your toilet bowl, use Borax just like you would use a soft scrub.  Sprinkle the Borax in the toilet bowl. Let it sit for a minute.  Then scrub and wipe clean.

8.  Pet Odor Control - Lightly sprinkle areas that are heavily used by pets (such as dog or cat pets) to freshen and reduce odors.

9.  Preserve Fresh Cut Flowers -  You can preserve fresh cut flowers from your garden, by drying them out with Borax, while still allowing your beautiful flowers to maintain their original color and shape.  Find the full tutorial at PolishTheStars.com.

10.  Carpet Cleaner - Clean stains from your carpet, including hard to get out stains like chocolate or pet urine using Borax.  Find out how at TheCentsableShoppin.com.

11.  Mattress Cleaner - If you have small children, this tip will be especially useful.  You can get stains, including urine, out of mattresses using Borax and water.  For full instructions, visit HowToCleanThings.com.

12.  Liquid Plumber - You can unclog your drains using just Borax and boiling water!  No need to buy any more expensive drain decongestants! Visit DIYnCrafts.com for directions.

13.  Old China Revival - You can renew old, dingy china by soaking in Borax! Just fill your sink with warm water, and stir in about ½ cup of Borax.  Place china in the sink and allow to soak for 30 minutes to an hour.  Then just rinse, and wash the dishes as usual for beautiful, shiny dishes!

14.  Makes Homemade Candles Burn Better - Make homemade candles burn taller and brighter by treating the wicks with Borax.  Check out a fun burning experiment at RedTedArt.com for more information and a great tutorial.

15.  Nourish Fruit Trees - Boron is an essential nutrient for most plant growth.  It's particularly needed for flowering and fruit production.  To keep your fruit trees healthy and to help them increase fruit production, sprinkle a small amount of Borax around your fruit every three to four years.

16.  Mouse Deterrent - Sprinkling Borax along walls can help deter mice from your home.  Mice like to run along walls, but dislike the powder sticking to their feet so they're less likely to return to that area.  Do be careful with this if you have pets or children.  Borax is generally considered safe, but is harmful if ingested in large doses.

17.  Homemade Goo-Gone -  You can make your own natural and effective "goo-gone" using just Borax and oil! Find out how at ParsimoniousPash.com.

18.  Humidifier Deodorizer - You can keep your humidifier must and odor free by adding about a tablespoon of Borax per gallon of water and letting it sit.  Be sure to rinse out your humidifier and refill with plain water prior to actual use.

19.  Sink and Tub Cleaner - Get stains and stuck-on grime off of your sink and tub by making your own homemade natural scouring powder with Borax, baking soda, and salt.  For the full recipe, visit WellnessMama.com.

20.  Outdoor Furniture Cleaner - Make your outdoor patio furniture look like new with a handy cleaning solution, including Borax.  Find the full ingredient list and instructions at DIYNetwork.com.

21.  Cat Litter Deodorizer - Try mixing a little Borax in with your cat litter to reduce smell and keep the litter smelling fresh longer.  The higher pH of Borax works with the lower pH of urine to help neutralize odors, the ammonia smell in particular.

22.  Garbage Disposal Cleaner - Garbage disposals are prone to mold and bacteria due to leftover food particles.  Keep your garbage disposal clean and odor free using Borax and this simple video tutorial.

23.  Linen Freshener - Allow your sheets, towels, and other linens to soak in your washer with hot water and about a cup of Borax to remove that funky, musty odor!

24.  Garbage Can Deodorizer - Sprinkle a little Borax into the bottom of your garbage can to keep it smelling fresher for longer.

25.  Weed Killer -  Kill weeds in your lawn, sidewalk, and driveway using Borax! Find out how here!

26.  Mold Inhibitor - Borax can also kill, remove, and inhibit mold growth. Borax essentially dries up the damp environment that mold loves oh-so-much and kills the mold in the process.  For more information on the mold-killing powers of Borax, visit MoldBlogger.com.

More Fun Uses for Borax

If you thought those incredibly awesome and effective ways to use Borax were great, you'll be even more thrilled with these fun ideas!  Make these fun Borax projects with your kids for loads of sensory play and fun!

27.  Snowflakes - Make these pretty snowflakes using Borax! You can also make sparkly crystals in other creative shapes.  For the full tutorial, head to madmim.com.

28.  Bouncy Balls - Forget those dollar store bouncy balls! You can make your own at home, and have fun doing it with simple ingredients, including Borax.  Visit The36thAvenue.com for full instructions.

29.  Slime - Give your children a great sensory play experience by making homemade slime with Borax! You and your kids will have an awesome time both making and playing with your homemade slime! Check out the full recipe at CoffeeCupsAndCrayons.com.

30.  Floam - Making your own homemade Floam is super easy and fun! Just use simple ingredients such as glue, Borax, and bean bag filler beads.  Find the full tutorial at GrowingAJeweledRose.com.

31.  Homemade Silly Putty - Remember Silly Putty?! I haven't seen any in quite some time, but now you can make your own at home using Borax! Visit ScatteredThoughtsOfACraftyMom.comfor the full how-to.

32.  Homemade Flubber - Experience more sensory play with your kids by making this homemade flubber craft project! Katie at LiveCraftEat.com says it reminds her of B.O.B. from the Monsters vs. Aliens movie, and I agree!

33.  Glow-in-the-Dark Slime - Make a fun variation of the popular sensory play slime with this incredible Glow-in-the-Dark Slime version at APumpkinAndAPrincess.com.

 

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with the formula H2O2. In its pure form, it is a very pale blue liquid that is slightly more viscousthan water. It is used as an oxidizer, bleaching agent, and antiseptic, usually as a dilute solution (3%–6% by weight) in water for consumer use, and in higher concentrations for industrial use. Concentrated hydrogen peroxide, or "high-test peroxide", decomposes explosively when heated and has been used both as a monopropellant and an oxidizer in rocketry. 

Hydrogen peroxide is a reactive oxygen species  and the simplest peroxide, a compound having an oxygen–oxygen single bond. It decomposes slowly into water and elemental oxygen when exposed to light, and rapidly in the presence of organic or reactive compounds. It is typically stored with a stabilizer in a weakly acidic solution in an opaque bottle. Hydrogen peroxide is found in biological systems including the human body. Enzymes that use or decompose hydrogen peroxide are classified as peroxidases. 

Good for...

swollen gums

whitenens teeth

use a mouth rinse

hair dye

disinfectant

(hospitals use it because it’s especially good at killing a parasite  called cryptosporidiosis (crypto) that spreads in human poop. Even  bleach can’t seem to easily get rid of these stubborn pathogens.  Hydrogen peroxide may also work against the norovirus, which is both  hard to kill and very contagious. More research is needed to know how  well it works as a decontaminant)  

kitchen and toilet cleaner

wash produce

helps with mold and mildew

remove stains

clears algae from pond water

sanitizes tooth and makeup brushes

 A body scrub is a physical exfoliant that is usually either salt or sugar-based, used to remove dead skin cells from your skin.  The abrasive ingredients (sugar, salt) are worked into the skin and  work as a natural exfoliant, clearing the skin of older skin cells so  your skin feels soft supple and nourished. 

1.  Remove dead skin cells: skin continuously sheds  dead skin cells and regenerates new ones, however it could sometimes use  a helping hand in the process. Using a body scrub to clear away dead  skin build-up can help to kick start most of the benefits listed below. 
2. Encourage skin rejuvenation: by exfoliating and  removing any dead skin cells, scrubs encourage the healthy rejuvenation  of skin, making it look fresh and velvety soft.  
3. Unclog your pores: clearing any dead cells away  with a body scrub is essential for unclogging pores, preventing  breakouts and deeply cleansing your skin.  
4. Draw out ingrown hairs: ingrown hairs are a regular nuisance for anyone that shaves, waxes or plucks and can  sometimes feel uncomfortable or get infected. Using a scrub helps to  both prevent, as well as draw out, any ingrown hairs. 
5. Help the skin to absorb skin care products: after thoroughly scrubbing the body and clearing away any dead skin cell build-up, the skin is able to better absorb body lotion or creams, allowing them to penetrate deeper and enhance the moisturizer experience.
6. Smoothe and even out the skin: by keeping the  pores clean and unclogged, body scrubs already do wonders for  maintaining smooth skin. With the removal of dead skin and therefore  encouraging skin rejuvenation, the skin appears more even, with a  noticeable reduction in body blemishes. 
7. Promote circulation: as is true of all massaging  experiences, scrubs also help promote blood circulation to keep the skin  looking healthy and retain its elasticity.  
8. Increases self-confidence: when your skin looks as good as it feels you’ll feel more confident about showing it off. Whether heading to the beach or flaunting a new backless dress, you’ll certainly feel more secure  without those acne spots on your back or that dry skin on your knees. 
9. Relax your mind: the process of body care is  thoroughly soothing. The calming massaging experience of applying an  exfoliating body scrub helps to unwind the mind as well as the body, in  anticipation for the day or night.
10. Clears pores and blemishes.
11. Even out dark spots.