Knowledge Weighs Nothing

11 Simple Ways To Prep Your Home For Winter (And Save On Your Heating Costs)

As warm summer breezes give way to crisp winter chills, the amount of clothing you wear isn’t the only thing increasing. With home heating costs continually rising, many are searching for simple and cheap ways to winterize and warm their homes. If you’re searching for a way to keep the cold out, and the monthly heating bills at a minimum, then delve into these 10 easy and cost-effective winterizing methods before Father Winter fully takes hold.

Prep Tip #1 ­ Plan Early and Plant Evergreens

Planting evergreens, to create windbreaks along the northwestern border of your property blocks cold winter winds from infiltrating your home. In fact, these trees can reduce heating costs by up to 30%. Increase the natural insulation of your home by placing dense shrubs directly along the sides of your home.

Prep Tip #2 ­ Bubble Wrap Your Windows

Attaching bubble wrap to windows traps warm air inside while blocking cold air from leaching in through the window panes. While standard plastic wrap is acceptable, the air bubbles in bubble wrap provide an extra layer of insulation ­ if you’re able to resist popping them.

Prep Tip #3 ­ Place Draft Stoppers On All Doors

Draft stoppers can be made out of towels, sheets and even old sweaters. By placing draft stoppers along the bottom portion of each door, your home is consolidated into smaller “units,” which require much less heat to keep warm.

Prep Tip #4 ­ Set Ceiling Fans to Reverse

Reversing the circulation of ceiling fans draws warm air that’s risen to the top of a room back down into living areas. You’d be surprised how much warm air is lurking on your ceiling. By simply flipping a switch, you can save up to 10% on heating costs.

Prep Tip #5 ­ Remove Window Air Conditioning Units

While a lifesaver during humid summer months, the cracks created from window A/C units literally sucks out precious warm air and invites arctic winds into your home. As summer turns into fall, take out all window A/C units. In fact, the drafts created by window units can waste up to 30% of energy per year.

Prep Tip #6 ­ Remove Fall Leaves From Your Gutters

While you’re probably well aware of the importance of clean and free-­flowing gutters, did you know that clogged gutters during winter months can significantly reduce inside ambient temperatures? Prevent ice dams and icicles from forming, which is like surrounding your windows and walls with ice cubes, by thoroughly cleaning gutters at the first sign of frost.

Prep Tip #7 ­ Install Weatherstripping Tape on Windows and Doors

The fight between your warmth and outdoor frigid temperatures is won by eliminating drafts. Install weatherstripping tape along the frames of windows and doors before the nights turn arctic to keep cold air out and warm air in.

Prep Tip #8 ­ Seal Off Your Chimney

Chimneys, when not in use, account for a substantial amount of heat loss during winter months. Therefore, seal off the entrance of fireplaces by wrapping its opening in plastic wrap. If your budget allows, increase the insulation of this heat-­leecher by placing a chimney balloon inside the chimney shoot.

Prep Tip #9 ­ Place Blankets on Bare Floors

There’s nothing quite as awful as waking up in the morning to be welcomed by frigid, hard floors. Increase the insulation of all rooms with non­-carpeted floors by securing blankets, or rugs, across all living spaces. While it may not be the most beautiful addition to your interior design, it’s an effective way to cheaply winterize your home.

Prep Tip #10 ­ Baked Potato…In My Bed?

There are times, in the peak of winter’s harsh reality, where even the most effective heat­-trapping methods aren’t enough to keep you warm. If you wish to refrain from increasing furnace output, simply place hot baked potatoes into tube socks, preferably wool socks, and stick them under your bed sheets for 15 to 30 minutes. Not only will your bed be toasty, but you’ll have potatoes for a hashbrown breakfast!

Prep Tip #11 ­ Low Cost Thermal Curtains from Comforters

Take an old comforter that’s long and wide enough to cover the window and then sew in some hook and loop tape or some curtain hooks to hang your new thermal curtains. You can also sew in some hook and loop or hooks along the bottom, so you can then roll up the curtain when not in use. If you are skilled with the sewing machine, you can cut your comforter to fit the window. Otherwise, just let them hang a little longer/wider as we do!

No-Knead Skillet Bread (The Different & Easier Way To Bake Bread)

There’s nothing quite like fresh-baked bread. Unfortunately, traditional bread recipes are often too complex for those with little cooking experience ­ or those who simply don’t have the proper ingredients. Thankfully, this no­-knead skillet bread recipe exists to provide an easier way to great, homemade bread. This is a basic­ level recipe. Feel free to experiment by adding ingredients to create a unique, one­of­a­kind skillet bread.

No-Knead Skillet Bread ­ The Recipe

Step One ­ Add 3 cups of unbleached, all-­purpose flour into a large mixing bowl.

Step Two ­ A 1/2 Teaspoon of instant yeast in the bowl. If you only have standard dry yeast, proof the yeast by mixing 1/2 teaspoon with 1/4 cup of warm water. Let the yeast rest for five minutes before stirring.

Step Three ­ Add 2 teaspoons of kosher salt and thoroughly stir the ingredients together.

Step Four ­ Add 1 1/2 cups of water (warm or cold works just fine).

Step Five ­ Mix the ingredients together with a dough whisk. If it’s not available, use a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon. Only stir the ingredients until they’re properly mixed together ­ remember, don’t over mix.

Step Six ­ Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rest for 12 to 18 hours

Step Seven ­ Heat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Once heated, place a cast-iron skillet or pot into the oven for 30 minutes ­ this preps the skillet for the dough.

Step Eight ­ Add a liberal amount of flour onto a surface covered with pastry cloth, if available. If not, any flat surface will do as long as it’s coated with flour.

Step Nine ­ Pour the dough onto the floured surface and using your hands, which should also be coated in flour, roll the dough into a large, round ball. Try to not to knead the dough during this process.

Step Ten ­ Line the pre­heated pot with parchment paper and carefully add the dough into the pot.

Step Eleven ­ Cover the pot and bake in the oven for 30 minutes.

Step Twelve ­ After the initial 30 minute bake time, remove the lid and continue to bake for an additional 15 minutes to create a lovely crust.

Step Thirteen ­ Remove the bread from the pot and place on a cooling rack. Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes before cutting and enjoying.

10 Ways To Make Some Money When Trying To Live Off-The-Grid

Make money living off-grid

Do you desire a life that’s less dependent on the ability and services of faceless businesses? Is your desire to be truly self­ sufficient stronger than your desire to be “taken care of” by corporations? Living off the grid harkens back to a simpler time when humans took care of themselves using the resources found in their immediate surroundings.

Regardless of your self­ sufficiency, there is always a need for some form of income. While you may not wish to get rich, the following 10 ways to make an income while living off grid offer a means of financial stability to help purchase essential life items.

Sell Your Art

A common skill set for many who live off the grid is creativity. Whether you’re skilled at carving wooden sculptures or knitting scarves, if you have an artistic ability, you can make some money. While the first piece of advice from many outlets is to sell artwork on online websites, such as Etsy, many who live off the grid wish to avoid establishing an online presence.

Use local farmer’s markets, flea markets or even setting up shop in antique stores can draw in a decent income. Think outside of the digital box when it comes to marketing and selling your
artwork.

Sell Herbal Tinctures

The marketplace for holistic medicines and herbal tinctures has never been greater. While many choose to stay connected to the grid, there are equally as many who desire a more natural
approach to healing common ailments. If you’re an herbalist, either professional or amateur, create your own herbal tinctures and tonics. Sell and market these items at flea markets, farmers
markets or online, if you wish to connect for the sole purpose of making money.

Sell Naturally Produced Honey

Beekeeping is an excellent option for those who live off the grid as it provides two benefits: an opportunity to make money selling honey while simultaneously helping the ever ­dwindling bee
population. While becoming a beekeeper and harvesting honey requires specialized equipment and training, there are many online and offline resources to aid in this quest to make money while
simultaneously helping the bee population.

House Painting Services

Regardless of where you live, there’s always a need for professional painting services. If you have experience painting interior and/or exterior walls, then you may have an opportunity to cash in on this experience. Create fliers describing your services and rates. Place these fliers on community bulletin boards found in recreation centers, libraries or in local businesses. Want to take a more proactive approach? Contact businesses directly soliciting your services.

Pet Sitting Service

If you live off the grid, then you likely have ample of outdoor space. Utilize this space by offering pet sitting services for friends, family and community members. While this may not be
ideal for every person, if you love animals and have a desire to make some extra cash, pet sitting may be your best moneymaking option.

Provide Horse Riding Lessons

Are you a horse lover? Do you enjoy instructing others on enjoying the freedom and connection between a rider and the horse? If so, then create fliers to promote horse riding lessons. This is especially effective if you live in horse­heavy communities and locations.

Sell Fruits and Vegetables

When you live off the grid, you probably have a well­ developed garden. While you rely on the fruits and vegetables you’ve cultivated to feed you and your family if you have extra, consider
selling these items at a local farmer’s market or flea market. Many consumers prefer buying goods from local farmers due to its freshness and lack of commercially ­used pesticides.

Babysitting Services

Whether you want to babysit for your friends, family or strangers, establishing a babysitting service is among the most effective ways to earn some money while staying disconnected from
the grid. Call all your friends and family to offer these services, and consider networking with your local church group or placing fliers on a community bulletin board.

Write a Book About Living Off Grid

Even if you’ve never written a book before, there’s a growing interest and desire to learn how to become self ­sufficient and living off-grid. Feed their desire for knowledge, while feeding your bank account, by writing a guidebook for off-grid living. You can sell this book online as an eBook, at flea markets or by sending the manuscript to a traditional publishing house.

Offer Gardening Classes

If you’re an accomplished gardener, the fruits of your labor can be more than fresh greens for your salad. Offer gardening how­to classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced­ level gardeners. This allows you the ability to expand your network of gardeners while earning a nice income doing what you love.

Homemade Tiger Balm Recipe: All Natural!

You may have seen Tiger Balm lining the shelves of your neighbourhood market or touted in online advertisements, but what exactly is Tiger Balm? Moreover, can you make this product at home with all-nature products?

What Is Tiger Balm

This pain-relieving topical ointment has been used by the Chinese elite for hundreds of years, and in our modern society, it’s synonymous with joint pain relief. With over 20 million jars of Tiger Balm sold each year, there’s something to be said about its effectiveness. While the effectiveness of Tiger Balm may be disputed among healthcare professionals, holistic and natural remedy proponents suggest this product as a natural way to calm pain and relieve congestion from chest colds.  Whilst being touted as a natural cure, Tiger Balm does, in fact, contain petroleum jelly and paraffin. Below is a recipe to make your own version using beeswax and coconut oil.

Step-by-Step Guide to Homemade Tiger Balm

  • Step 1 – Add 1⁄2 ounce of beeswax and 2 ounces of coconut oil into a small saucepan. You may also use extra virgin olive oil instead of coconut oil.
  • Step 2 – In a larger saucepan, add 2 to 4 cups of water. Place the smaller saucepan into the larger one, which creates a double boiler.
  • Step 3 – Increase the stove heat to medium.
  • Step 4 – Continually stir the ingredients until they melt. Make sure to constantly stir the ingredients to prevent them from burning.
  • Step 5 – Remove the saucepan from heat once the ingredients are melted.
  • Step 6 – Add 10 drops of eucalyptus oil, 10 drops of peppermint oil and 5 drops of clove oil into the melted wax and oil.
  • Step 7 – Vigorously mix the ingredients together until they’re thoroughly mixed.
  • Step 8 – Allow the mixture to cool for several minutes.
  • Step 9 – In a separate saucepan, bring 1 pint of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of crushed garden sage, wintergreen, willow or black haw. Allow the water to boil until the liquid reduces by half.
  • Step 10 – Strain the herb out of the water and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water into the wax mixture.
  • Step 11 – Heat the wax and water mixture in the double boiler, and stir for several minutes.
  • Step 12 – Pour the warm mixture into a metal or glass container. Place in a dry, cool area for several hours, or until completely cooled.

How To Brew The Perfect Cup Of Pine Needle Tea (& Which Trees To Never Use!)

How To Make Pine Needle Tea

Pine trees adorn forests throughout the country, but did you know they offer more than natural privacy and year-round greenery? Pine needles are filled with antioxidants and antimicrobial properties, according to a study published in the July 2012 edition of the “Journal of Food Sciences.” For generations, pine needle tea has been consumed by indigenous peoples as a decongestant, expectorant and an antiseptic wash. In fact, pine needles have up to five times more vitamin C than freshly squeezed orange juice. Enhance your health, while learning a new skill, by gathering and making pine needle tea.

How to Choose and Gather the Best Pine Needles

As a rule of thumb, the younger and greener the needles, the more concentrated its medicinal compounds. The ideal needles are less than three inches long. Don’t choose needles from a pine that lines a roadway or in a highly-populated area as they may be sprayed with pesticides or other toxic chemicals. The best needles come from pines found deep in the forest. Put your hiking boots on and enjoy a day in the country while searching for healthy pine trees.

While pine needle tea can boost your health, be careful what trees you choose. While the majority of pine trees are fine for consumption, make sure you steer clear from:

  • Common Yew (Taxus) – Found in shrub or small tree sizes, Yew contains a toxic alkaloid known as taxine, which is fatal if consumed by humans.
  • Norfolk Island Pin (Araucana Heterophylla) – Also referred to as the Australian Pine, this pine tree is often used as Christmas trees and small indoor plants. This plant is poisonous to humans and animals.
  • Ponderosa Pine (Pinus Ponderosa – Also known as the Yellow Pine, is regarded as harmful to humans. In fact, its needles are used to terminate animal pregnancies.

In addition to the aforementioned, stay away from:

  • Lodgepole Pine
  • Shore Pine
  • Monterey Cypress

**I am not entirely sure why, but it is recommended that pine needle tea should not be drunk if pregnant or breastfeeding**

Pine Needle Tea – A Step-by-Step Guide

  • Step 1 – Gather at least 1 cup of fresh pine needles. Thoroughly wash the needles with clean, cool water.
  • Step 2 – Chop the needles into a small pieces. Make sure to remove any brown portions of the needle.
  • Step 3 – Bring 3 cups of water to a rolling boil.
  • Step 4 – Add needles to the water as soon as it starts to boil.
  • Step 5 – Remove the saucepan from the heat source, and cover. Allow the tea to steep for at least 20 minutes. Increase tea potency by allowing the tea to steep overnight. This results in a deep, reddish-brown colour as a higher concentration of compounds were leached into the water.
  • Step 6 – Pour the tea through a strainer to remove the pine needles.
  • Step 7 – Sweeten the tea with honey or agave nectar. Some find freshly squeezed lemon enhances its flavour.
(Image source: Regan Ziegler)

8 ‘MUST HAVE’ Items Everyone Should Have In Their Bug-Out-Bag

bug out bag item list

The thought of a natural disaster or some other catastrophic event is not one many enjoy meditating on; however, in our modern society, this is a very real threat. To protect your family, and yourself, it’s essential to begin preparing for the worst. While there are many ways to accomplish this goal, the easiest, and most effective in emergencies, is known as a Bug Out Bag.

Bug Out Bags are filled with essential items to keep you safe and protected during an emergency situation. There are many items that may be used, but the following are necessary for any Bug Out Bag.

(Loads of people have asked what bug out bag we use and recommend. We use and highly recommend the 5.11 3 Day Rush Backpack. It is absolutely amazing and given what it costs it’s a steal. We also like that it comes in a range of colors. We chose the black version as you look a lot less like a prepper/survivalist (with loads of gear worth acquiring!), than you do if you go for the usual military colors.)

Map and Compass

What would happen if your smartphone turned not-so-smart due to a lack of electricity or data signal? Being able to find your way around your immediate area could mean the difference between escaping from harm’s way or walking directly into it. Therefore, a current map and compass are essential for every Bug Out Bag.

TIP: Enhance your survival skills by learning how to effectively use a compass and read a variety of maps.

Pocket Knife or Multitool

As pocket knives and multitools are so useful for work and day-to-day activities,  it should be obvious how useful they would be in an emergency scenario. My personal preference is for a good quality medium sized Leatherman multitool, as they are well made, durable and have numerous uses in survival scenarios. Many people will argue that a fixed blade knife is preferable over a multitool, but not everyone is comfortable or proficient with fixed blade knives. There are pros and cons to each, but for everyday folk, I am going with the multitool. By all means, carry both!

LED Flashlights

Flashlights are essential to finding your way in darkness as well as flagging for help. Traditional flashlights aren’t acceptable due to their short battery life and dim light beam. Enhance your ability to navigate during the night by storing a fresh LED flashlight in your bag. For maximum benefit, gather a large and small flashlight to illuminate a variety of situations. You should also store a few sets of backup batteries too.

Tarp for Emergency Shelter

If you’ve escaped traditional shelters, such as homes or buildings, tarps offer lightweight protection from the elements. Choose a brightly coloured tarp, which may be used as a location device when you’re lost in heavily wooded areas (unless your goal is not to be found, in which case choose camo). Of course, the tarp must be accompanied by several ropes. Paracord is vital for securing tarp shelters to trees etc, and it also has many other survival uses as well.

Various Fire-Making Items

Being able to make fire is among the most important elements of survival. Therefore, all Bug Out Bags should contain at least two methods of starting a fire. While matches are common,
gusts of wind of an unexpected rainfall could render these pieces of wood useless. If you must use matches, waterproof lifeboat matches offer the greatest resilience. Include a fire piston, flint and steel or a magnesium fire starter. Make sure to include an accelerant, such as cotton balls soaked with petroleum jelly.

Water Filtration Items

In cases of emergency, clean water may become scarce. Prevent yourself from drinking water of unknown quality by including a water filtration system of some sort. Personal straw filters and
carbon water purification tablets effectively purify water in emergency situations. Enhance your survival ability by learning how to purify water using natural methods.

Extra Clothing Items

Being stranded or having to escape a dangerous situation with only the clothes on your back is a recipe for disaster. The amount of clothing you should pack depends on the size of your Bug Out Bag. Regardless, keep several changes of socks, several shirts, some extra pairs of underwear, a lightweight down bodywarmer and a lightweight waterproof jacket.

10 Reasons Why You Need to Start Eating & Cooking With Coconut Oil

Why eat coconut oil

Throughout the past several years, the culinary and medicinal qualities of coconut oil have made their way into the mainstream consciousness. While coconut oil features a delicate flavour that enhances practically any dish, there are many reasons outside of its pleasant taste as why this oil should be consumed regularly. In fact, there are 10 great reasons why you need to immediately start increasing your coconut oil intake.

Reason #1 – Natural Energy Booster
Coconut oil contains a unique nutrient known as medium-chain triglycerides or MCT for short. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found consuming 15 to 30 grams of MCT from coconut oil per day significantly increased energy levels for a 24-hour period.

Reason #2 – Fight Off Viruses and Bacterial Infections
No matter how often you wash your hands and steer clear from germs and illnesses, you’re eventually bound to catch the flu or a bacterial infection. Decrease your odds of getting sick by consuming coconut oil every day. When coconut oil is consumed, it’s transformed into two powerful anti-viral and anti-bacterial agents: lauric acid and monolaurin. In fact, a study published by the “Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy” medical journal found these two substances, derived from coconut oil, effectively killed both bacteria and viruses in patients.

Reason #3 – Increase “Good” Cholesterol Levels
Your body consists of “good” cholesterol, HDL, and “bad” cholesterol, LDL. The higher your HDL cholesterol levels, the healthier your cardiovascular system. A study published in the July 2009 edition of “Lipids” found that over a 12-week duration, women who consumed coconut oil experienced a significant increase in HDL cholesterol while their LDL levels simultaneously decreased.

Reason #4 – Heal Wounds Faster
Holistic practitioners believe that treating skin abrasions with virgin coconut oil expedites the healing process. While scientific evidence is conflicting, for this reason, researchers have found consuming coconut oil increases blood coagulation, which helps stop bleeding and promotes wound healing.

Reason #5 – Combat Constipation
Coconut oil has long been used to aid in digestion and help eliminate certain disorders, such as indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome. When it comes to constipation, consuming this oil seems to not only fight off unhealthy bacteria that are causing digestive issues but “cleans” out your digestive tract. Next time you’re feeling the pain of constipation, reach for a virgin coconut oil instead of a synthetic laxative. Its natural cleansing is gentle, yet effective.

Reason #6 – Fight Alzheimer’s Disease
As coconut oil is consumed, its MCTs are sent directly to your liver, which is then transformed into ketones. Researchers believe these ketones may help slow the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease; however, further research is needed to determine its full effectiveness.

Reason #7 – Support Thyroid Function
While there is little scientific evidence to fully support this use, holistic practitioners, patients and even Western physicians are turning to coconut oil to support thyroid functions. It’s believed this oil protects your thyroid by increasing metabolism and basal body temperatures, which is an essential benefit for those with low thyroid functionality.

Reason #8 – Treat and Cure Yeast Infections
Candida is a disease produced by a form of yeast known as Candida Albicans. While this yeast is found in almost every person, if its growth becomes excessive and uncontrolled, you’ll experience a host of problems. To fight this condition, you must increase your intake of anti-fungal and antimicrobial compounds, such as lauric acid, myristic acid and caprylic acid. Coconut oil contains a high concentration of these, and other, compounds. Consume coconut oil each day to kill yeast infections throughout your body.

Reason #9 – Protect Your Liver
According to a study published in the “Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology” coconut oil directly protects your liver from damaging effects due to toxic chemicals found in antibiotics and other compounds. It’s believed this protection is due to its active compounds and the ability to soak directly into liver cells.

Reason #10 – Keep Your Teeth Healthy and Happy
The active compounds in coconut oil have been found by researchers to support the absorption of calcium within your body. Calcium is a major factor when it comes to your teeth health. Therefore, by consuming coconut oil every day, research suggests your rate of calcium absorption will increase, which in turn will increase the strength and vitality of your teeth.

3 Natural Home Remedies That Help To Relieve Arthritis & Joint Pain

Home Remedies for Arthritis

Arthritis and joint pain are common among all genders and all ethnic backgrounds, and it’s characterized by stiffness, swelling, and overall fatigue. Like many other conditions, joint pain can be attributed to a myriad of underlining health conditions, such as obesity and malnutrition. While you should speak with your physician before starting any natural home remedy, especially if you’re taking medications, the following natural remedies use a combination of science and holistic belief to provide relief to this sometimes debilitating condition. I also highly recommend reading our post about the health benefits of turmeric tea as turmeric has been proved to help reduce inflammation and joint pain.

Epsom Salt Bath for Joint Pain Relief

The active compound in Epsom salt is magnesium sulphate, which has been utilized for centuries as a means of providing pain relief. When submerged, the compounds in Epsom salt are absorbed through your skin and immediately begin providing pain relief by reducing joint inflammation and calming your mind by increasing the production of serotonin.

How to Use

  • Step One – Fill your bathtub with lukewarm water. Make sure the water is not too hot or too cold. You’ll want to be able to rest comfortably for 10 minutes without overheating.
  • Step Two – Pour 1 to 2 cups of Epsom salt directly into the bathwater.
  • Step Three – Using your hand, mix the salt into the bathwater until it is fully dissolved.
  • Step Four – Fully submerge your body into the bath and relax for 10 to 15 minutes. Focus on calming your muscles and joints throughout the bath. Repeat once a day to help keep inflammation at bay.

Olive Oil Rub

Olive oil has been used as a medicine and culinary ingredient for thousands of years. When it comes to relieving pain due to arthritis or joint inflammation, researchers have found that by massaging the oil directly into the joints, it’s able to provide pain relief and inflammation reduction. Researchers believe olive oil reduces joint pain due to a compound known as oleocanthal, which inhibits the production of inflammation-causing enzymes, COX-1 and COX-2. In fact, just 1.5 tablespoons of virgin, or cold-pressed olive oil features the anti-inflammatory action of 200 milligrams of ibuprofen.

How to Use

  • Step One – Pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of EVOO, or extra virgin olive oil, into your hands.
  • Step Two – Gently massage the oil directly into your aching joints up to three times per day.

Soothe Away Your Joint Pain With Essential Oils

While you may not be able to eliminate arthritis or joint pain from your life, the topical application of certain essential oils is known to soothe joint pain and provide ‘cooling’ relief. The two most effective oils for this purpose include eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil. Both substances feature pain-relieving, or analgesic, compounds capable of soaking into your skin and temporarily eliminating deep joint pain. If you have sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema, speak with your physician before application.

How to Use

  • Step One – Place 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil into a dark-coloured glass bottle, which should seal shut with a dropper.
  • Step Two – Add 5 to 10 drops of eucalyptus oil and 5 to 10 drops of peppermint oil into the container.
  • Step Three – Close the lid to the bottle and shake the ingredients for 30 seconds to ensure they’re properly mixed.
  • Step Four – With the dropper, place 5 to 10 drops of the mixture into the palm of your hand and gently massage into your aching joints. Repeat whenever you need immediate pain relief. Store the oil blend away from direct sunlight to protect its active properties.
(Image from: Wikipedia)

How To Remove Warts With Garlic – 100% Natural Remedy

Wart_animated

Warts, like skin tags, remain a mystery for many as these harmless growths seem to come out of nowhere. As a child, you may have believed warts were caused by touching frogs or an ailment only experienced by witches. Warts aren’t the result of grazing against a reptile, but rather these unsightly, yet harmless, growths are a result of a viral infection.

Typically, wart treatments require the use of chemical acids or liquid nitrogen, and in some cases, the wart must be surgically removed. Yet, what if there was a natural way to eliminate warts without the trauma of chemical and invasive treatments? According to the latest research, it seems there is an all-natural solution to this common ailment – garlic.

Garlic! Nature’s Anti-Wart Agent

Evidence of garlic being used as a culinary ingredient and a medicinal herb date back over 5,000 years. While some uses have been debunked by modern medicine, many others are now fully backed by scientific evidence. The active compounds in garlic are noted as having powerful anti-viral properties.

While 70 percent of warts resolve themselves within 24 months, stubborn warts can last for many more years, if not forever. Moreover, a single wart can produce other warts at various sites around your body. Because of this, dermatologists recommend treating a wart as soon as it shows its ugly face.

To treat warts without the use of acid or other invasive methods, simply grab a fresh garlic clove, a knife and bandages.

How to Remove Warts With Garlic – Step-by-Step Guide

Step One – Thoroughly wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap. If you have any cuts on your hand or fingers, cover them with a bandage. The wart virus is highly contagious. All it needs is a small opening in your skin to infect a new area of your body. For optimum protection, wear latex gloves while treating the wart.

Step Two – Peel one garlic clove. Once its outer shell is removed, cut the clove in half.

Step Three – Rub the surface of the wart(s) with the cut side of the clove. Make sure you fully saturate the wart with garlic juice, although try to avoid contact with the surrounding skin. Continue rubbing the wart with the clove for 90 seconds.

Step Four – Once the wart is saturated with the garlic juice,  cut a section of the clove the same size as the wort. Secure this piece of the clove directly on the wart (again try and avoid contact with the surrounding skin) with an adhesive bandage. Allow the clove to soak into the wart overnight. In the morning, carefully remove the bandage and rinse the area with water. Continue this treatment every night until the wart turns black and falls off.

Scientific Evidence

While many natural remedies are steeped in tradition and nothing more, a study published in the April 2004 issue of the ‘International Journal of Dermatology’ found participants with 2 to 96 warts experienced complete wart removal within two weeks after applying a fat-soluble garlic extract directly onto warts.

This treatment merely confirms what holistic practitioners have known for millennia. If you’re searching for an effective wart removal system, steer clear from acids and other toxic treatments, and instead visit the produce department at your local grocery.

(Image from: Wikipedia)

Canned Food Expiration Dates — Are You Wasting Perfectly Good Food

Canned Food Expiration Dates

Eagerly, you search through your food pantry to find a tasty treat. Fumbling with an assortment of packaged foods, you come across a can of beans. While your mouth waters with the promise of baked bean goodness, your eyes stumble across a familiar sight the sell-by-date. Checking the wall calendar, you notice the printed date was months ago. With a concern for safety, you throw the beans into the trash and continue your quest for food.

The above scenario is a common ritual throughout many households, but while you think you’re safeguarding your health by tossing an ‘expired’ can into the trash, you’re really wasting money.

One of the biggest misconceptions in our current society is the duration before canned foods become inedible. In fact, most cans don’t feature an expiration date, but rather a ‘for best quality use by’ date stamp. Next time you’re wavering on whether or not a can of food is safe to consume, remember the following:

Canned Foods Are Manufactured for Eternity

While eternity may be an overstatement, the process of canning foods renders its contents commercially sterile and microbiologically safe to consume even when the ‘sell by’ date is from a bygone era.

To understand why canned foods are safe to eat long after any printed date, you must understand how these products are made.

Canned foods are sterilized by heating its contents with steam at temperatures from 116 to 121-degrees Celsius. By exposing food to highly pressurized steam, microorganisms are destroyed and inhibited from re-populating its interior. Cans are then sealed to make them ‘airtight’, which preserves its sterile environment. Unless punctured, its contents remain in suspended animation, awaiting the day to be cooked and enjoyed.

Show Me The Evidence

Still not convinced that can of beans you just threw away was still edible? Consider this study published by the Can Manufacturers Institute, headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA. In the 1820s, an expedition led by Sir William Edward Parry set out to explore the Northwest Passage. To keep his crew fed, he gathered several canned meats for the voyage. Two of these cans survived uneaten and were kept in a museum until 1938, when researchers removed the canned meat for inspection. After nearly 100 years, scientists found the meat was nutritionally-sound and considered safe for consumption.

In fact, The Canned Food Alliance state that as long as the can has not been ruptured, its contents are considered safe for eating, indefinitely.

What About Its Nutritional Value?

Simply because something is safe to eat, doesn’t mean it’s packed-full of nutrients, or does it? Because canned food is sealed and processed at the peak of its nutritional content, most foods retain their nutrients and vitamins years after they’ve been canned. Although the texture and color of foods may alter during a long shelf-life, its safety and nutrition remains intact.

So next time you’re scouring your pantry looking for food, pay no mind to the dates listed on a can. As long as it’s been stored at a moderate temperature, and its shell hasn’t been punctured, open the can and enjoy.

(Image from: Wikipedia)