It's odd that the elimination of body odor would be the impetus for me blogging again. But it is. Now that I’m trying to get in shape (have you ever noticed you never realize how out of shape you are until you try to get in shape? I think it’s denial…) I have stinky clothes.
I sweat like never before (prob because I’m pushing myself like never before) and I’m tired of spending money replacing tshirts and sports bras because I can’t get the odor out.
We must not be embarrassed that we stink. It is how the good Lord made us. When we sweat, the bacteria mutates and grows and stinks like the dickens. There are a few of us that don’t get raunchy, but I haven’t met one yet. I do have to admit that when my feet sweat, they do not stink. It is one of my gifts and attractive graces. I know people whose feet sweat and turn their fave shoes into bleu cheese factories. Poor things.
So I don’t have to worry about feet, but I do have to worry about pits. Nothing's worse than realizing you are offensive. So yesterday I was searching amazon.com for sportswear detergents and googling tips on washing stinky workout clothes. Unfortunately, most sports detergents are expensive – without naming any names, some are $20 for a few ounces. Seriously? It's hard for me to pay $20 for a pair of shoes.
I stumbled upon some sites that mentioned salt water and vinegar. I had tried baking soda and that didn’t seem to do much. Some sites mentioned making a paste and rubbing it on the pits. I do not have that kind of time – and how do you get it to stay on?...and, what a mess.
So, salt and vinegar seemed to be recurring themes. Why does salt work? For the same reason salt was used to cure meat (not the dehydration part) – because it is antibacterial. The salt is working to kill all of those armpit bacterium. Go salt.
I gathered up all of my workout clothes – from bras to socks (even though they of course, did not stink). I put them in a 5-gallon bucket that was filled halfway with hot water and ½ cup of table salt. I let it soak for a couple of hours. Some pieces that I tossed in towards the end after a workout were only in for about 10 minutes. Then I tossed all of that in (including the salt water) into the washer, filled to the appropriate level with hot water with very little detergent and 1 cup of vinegar – which neutralizes odors. I let that sit for about 20 minutes while I took a shower, then washed.
After it drained, I smelled the pits. Voila!!! Totally clean!! Not the smell of detergent masking B.O., but truly clean!! Miracles of miracles – and only for a few cents.
And, fyi, one of those sports bras may be older than me, with lingering bacteria from 10th grade. It smells as good as new.
I just had to share.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Friday, February 18, 2011
Some random tips...
It's so beautiful in Ohio today - I'm going to go out and pick up sticks and walk the dog with Kate. How I've longed for a spring-ish day!!
On another note:
Ladies, did you know it's time to change your tires if you can put a penny in the tread, upside down, and still see Lincoln's head? My tread's at his hairline, so guess what - at least $500 on new tires...Go check your tires and make sure you're riding safe!
Top food 'finds' this month:
1. Habanero cheese at Kroger - Cracker Barrel brand. Not for the faint of heart. Only eat it if you like heat. Grate it up on baked potatos - yum!!!
2. Betty Crocker cake mix and icing. Yeah, we've all had it. But have you ever just baked a cake with your kids just because you could - and let them decorate it - all for under five bucks (And there's a coupon for 75 cents off).They may be on a sugar high for a couple days - but it's worth it:)
3. Fresh mushrooms. We love to fix homemade pizza every Friday night. My husband always wants mushrooms - and the canned ones are so slimy and gross on pizza - IMO. So I've started sauteeing fresh mushrooms in garlic - then adding to the pizza with other ingredients - a world of difference!! And we don't eat pepperoni anymore because the mushrooms are so "meaty." Huge calorie savings!!
4. Pre-made sugar-free jello.
I never want to buy this stuff because I have 49,000 boxes of jell-o in my pantry and I know it's a heck of a lot cheaper to make it that way. But - I need something prepackaged that I can grab quickly so I don't eat chips or chunks of high fat cheese when I'm hungry. It really is filling and a huge help when you're counting calories.
5. Pollock fishSimilar to cod, this mild white fish is affordable and healthy. Last night, instead of just red meat (which I still had on the side for my kids) I fried this fish with red pepper flakes, kosher salt, fresh ground pepper, lemon juice and garlic. (used 2 tbsp olive oil for frying in pan). I put added the fish to shredded lettuce and red beans and rice on a lo-carb tortilla. YUM-OH! It really was awesome - and I don't have to tell you how much fewer calories this had then even our extra-lean venison.
Think outside the box and substitute those ingredients we are so accustomed to.
Well, y-all, I'm out for today. It's a sin to be on the computer in this weather. Enjoy it!
On another note:
Ladies, did you know it's time to change your tires if you can put a penny in the tread, upside down, and still see Lincoln's head? My tread's at his hairline, so guess what - at least $500 on new tires...Go check your tires and make sure you're riding safe!
Top food 'finds' this month:
1. Habanero cheese at Kroger - Cracker Barrel brand. Not for the faint of heart. Only eat it if you like heat. Grate it up on baked potatos - yum!!!
2. Betty Crocker cake mix and icing. Yeah, we've all had it. But have you ever just baked a cake with your kids just because you could - and let them decorate it - all for under five bucks (And there's a coupon for 75 cents off).They may be on a sugar high for a couple days - but it's worth it:)
3. Fresh mushrooms. We love to fix homemade pizza every Friday night. My husband always wants mushrooms - and the canned ones are so slimy and gross on pizza - IMO. So I've started sauteeing fresh mushrooms in garlic - then adding to the pizza with other ingredients - a world of difference!! And we don't eat pepperoni anymore because the mushrooms are so "meaty." Huge calorie savings!!
4. Pre-made sugar-free jello.
I never want to buy this stuff because I have 49,000 boxes of jell-o in my pantry and I know it's a heck of a lot cheaper to make it that way. But - I need something prepackaged that I can grab quickly so I don't eat chips or chunks of high fat cheese when I'm hungry. It really is filling and a huge help when you're counting calories.
5. Pollock fishSimilar to cod, this mild white fish is affordable and healthy. Last night, instead of just red meat (which I still had on the side for my kids) I fried this fish with red pepper flakes, kosher salt, fresh ground pepper, lemon juice and garlic. (used 2 tbsp olive oil for frying in pan). I put added the fish to shredded lettuce and red beans and rice on a lo-carb tortilla. YUM-OH! It really was awesome - and I don't have to tell you how much fewer calories this had then even our extra-lean venison.
Think outside the box and substitute those ingredients we are so accustomed to.
Well, y-all, I'm out for today. It's a sin to be on the computer in this weather. Enjoy it!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Haiti & my new thankfulness
I'm sure I'm not the only American emotionally affected by the Haitian tragedy. It has been on my mind constantly yesterday and today.
I think of all the things I take for granted every day. I can go to any faucet in the house and get hot or cold water. Water is now the currency in Haiti - money is worth nothing. At night, I lay in a memory foam bed. There are elderly people, babies, orphans, and families laying on concrete tonight. Everyone I know personally is in a warm, comfortable house.
We're really low on groceries right now - peanut butter and jelly and Hamburger Helper for dinner. But I was so thankful for it. People are fighting through rubble to search for food. I think of the mothers who have lost their babies, or whose children are laying beside them right now - hurt, with broken bones and bleeding, with no medical help. I have ibuprofen for my children's littlest aches and pains. I was just complaining the other day that I have no money for new drapes, which I felt I needed desperately. They have no homes and are sleeping in the streets.
It's going to be a struggle to pay property taxes this year, but I have property - a charming, semi-cluttered home that holds the people I hold dear. I want for nothing. Tonight, I wanted to say I'm thankful.
I think of all the things I take for granted every day. I can go to any faucet in the house and get hot or cold water. Water is now the currency in Haiti - money is worth nothing. At night, I lay in a memory foam bed. There are elderly people, babies, orphans, and families laying on concrete tonight. Everyone I know personally is in a warm, comfortable house.
We're really low on groceries right now - peanut butter and jelly and Hamburger Helper for dinner. But I was so thankful for it. People are fighting through rubble to search for food. I think of the mothers who have lost their babies, or whose children are laying beside them right now - hurt, with broken bones and bleeding, with no medical help. I have ibuprofen for my children's littlest aches and pains. I was just complaining the other day that I have no money for new drapes, which I felt I needed desperately. They have no homes and are sleeping in the streets.
It's going to be a struggle to pay property taxes this year, but I have property - a charming, semi-cluttered home that holds the people I hold dear. I want for nothing. Tonight, I wanted to say I'm thankful.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Freecycle it, Baby!
I had to share with you all my favorite "Recycling" website/organization. I try to be green. I have energy saving lightbulbs, I reuse grocery bags. But I still am lacking. HOWEVER, Freecycle has been great for us. It's a site with chapters all over the U.S. - Obviously I belong to the Preble County, Ohio chapter. If you ever want to get rid of anything, you post "OFFER: 2 bags of old toys" Your post goes up, and people start contacting you who are in need of some toys. You choose who you want to give it to - it can be first come first serve (email-wise) or you can choose whoever's name you like best - your call. You choose your winner, then you contact each other. They come pick up the stuff off your porch or whatever. If you are in need of something, you simply post "Wanted: desk" and others can respond to your request.
We have gotten rid of garage sale leftovers, toys, clothes, you name it, with freecycle. The whole purpose of the site is to keep usable items out of landfills. Plus, I'm lazy. I don't always feel like loading my stuff up and taking it somewhere. This method is easy, and it's fast. You can usually get rid of stuff within a couple of days.
You are not allowed to get rid of pets (no gerbils, please) and there can be no money exchanged or requested.
Check it out - it's free.
We have gotten rid of garage sale leftovers, toys, clothes, you name it, with freecycle. The whole purpose of the site is to keep usable items out of landfills. Plus, I'm lazy. I don't always feel like loading my stuff up and taking it somewhere. This method is easy, and it's fast. You can usually get rid of stuff within a couple of days.
You are not allowed to get rid of pets (no gerbils, please) and there can be no money exchanged or requested.
Check it out - it's free.
Vitamins: nature's antidepressant
No sugar again today - I'm high on Vitamin Bs. What a wonder vitamin! If anyone suffers from depression, low mood, low energy - get on some B. You can buy a great B complex at Wal-mart or any pharmacy for under $10 - cheaper than any anti-depressant. (Check out the link on Vitamin B on my page) Now, I'm not a doctor and am not the queen of medical advice, but I do know what has worked for me and others - definitely combine the two if you are on an anti-depressant. Stock up on nutrients as well as taking your medication. (Don't go off anti-depressants on your own! Talk to your dr. first)
We Americans are so vitamin-depleted. While we have accrued more stress and responsibilities; we have accrued sucky diets. We don't have the vitality to tackle our lives with energy. We don't get enough sleep, we take on too many responsibilities, we forget to take time for ourselves, and end up sapped, munching on cheesey puffs and cookie dough by the end of the night. (Okay, not every night)(Okay not everybody, maybe just me.)
Another major vitamin that gets overlooked is Magnesium. I read that being low in magnesium can trigger sugar cravings, so I take one of those a day, along with Omega 3's (a must!) how many of us can say we eat salmon and omega-3 rich foods three times a week? Even if you do, an Omega-3(and 6) boosts brain power, protects your heart, and also has been shown to help depression. Now, I'm not going to give footnotes on all this info - I don't have time to complete a report - Just google any of these vitamin/mineral supplements and see for yourself! You'll find proper dosages, benefits, warnings, etc.
Of course, we still need to try to get as much of these nutrients from our diet as possible, but some of us (me) just don't get in enough kale, yams, salmon, etc. AND it's so expensive to eat fresh - especially in the winter!! Love those farmer's markets in the summer - but that's only for 3-4 months out of the year in the lovely midwest. OH - also for depression, speaking of the gloomy midwest winter - VITAMIN D! If you're not eating plenty of dairy and dark greens - be sure to take a D supplement for mood!
If any of you have more suggestions - I'd love to hear them. Cheers!
We Americans are so vitamin-depleted. While we have accrued more stress and responsibilities; we have accrued sucky diets. We don't have the vitality to tackle our lives with energy. We don't get enough sleep, we take on too many responsibilities, we forget to take time for ourselves, and end up sapped, munching on cheesey puffs and cookie dough by the end of the night. (Okay, not every night)(Okay not everybody, maybe just me.)
Another major vitamin that gets overlooked is Magnesium. I read that being low in magnesium can trigger sugar cravings, so I take one of those a day, along with Omega 3's (a must!) how many of us can say we eat salmon and omega-3 rich foods three times a week? Even if you do, an Omega-3(and 6) boosts brain power, protects your heart, and also has been shown to help depression. Now, I'm not going to give footnotes on all this info - I don't have time to complete a report - Just google any of these vitamin/mineral supplements and see for yourself! You'll find proper dosages, benefits, warnings, etc.
Of course, we still need to try to get as much of these nutrients from our diet as possible, but some of us (me) just don't get in enough kale, yams, salmon, etc. AND it's so expensive to eat fresh - especially in the winter!! Love those farmer's markets in the summer - but that's only for 3-4 months out of the year in the lovely midwest. OH - also for depression, speaking of the gloomy midwest winter - VITAMIN D! If you're not eating plenty of dairy and dark greens - be sure to take a D supplement for mood!
If any of you have more suggestions - I'd love to hear them. Cheers!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Clearing the Clutter
Ever watch 'Hoarders' on AETV? Heavens. How easily stuff can take over some lives. Please Lord, don't ever let me get like that. When I clean I think of these people and let go of the stuff I know I don't need. Purge, baby, Purge!!! January's a great month for purging - finally went through my closet and pitched the skinny college jeans, the psychedelic heels, the satin prom-ish looking shoes from the early 90s. I actually got rid of 50% of my clothes - the biggest purge ever. It was so freeing!! It is amazing how clutter can depress you, drag you down, even heighten stress levels. I love the advice that if you don't feel great in a piece of clothing, it should go. If it doesn't represent who you are and how you want to be seen, it should go. So instead of using the "If you haven't worn it in one year" Rule, I used those credos, and boy, did I have a lot of useless stuff. Now I can honestly say I only have in my closet what I feel good wearing. Not something I have to lose 10 pounds for, not something that's trendy but looks putrid on, not something that was just a good "deal".
I attacked my closet, my jewelry box, my laundry room. There's more to go, but a project each weekend. The first step to clearing the clutter in your mind is clearing the clutter in your house.
I attacked my closet, my jewelry box, my laundry room. There's more to go, but a project each weekend. The first step to clearing the clutter in your mind is clearing the clutter in your house.
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