Ancient Stain Removal Tip

Well I guess Ancient isn't the right word...but what do Mount Vernon and baby shower have in common???
Stain removal tips.
The laundry crew of Mount Vernon used to wash the linens and then lay them on the grass or bushes to dry allowing the chlorophyll to react with the Sun causing a whitening and brightening to the dulled linens (what we would call bleach now a days!)
My sister was at a baby shower last weekend and passed along a tip that one of the moms shared with the mom-to-be. She said that no matter what stain her baby had presented her with...water and sunlight had kept every onesie, bib, and outfit spotless. She simply rinsed the stained article in water and laid it in the bright sun for 5-10 minutes...and the stain was gone.
I know this works for white garments that need a whitening pick me up...in fact adding vinegar in the rinse cycle and then setting the items out to dry really brightens those dulled or yellowed whites...
I don't have a stain producing infant right now to try this trick out on...but you had better believe I will be testing it out ASAP on whatever stains my toddlers give me next! What could be cheaper and safer than water and sunlight!


Mount Vernon is one of my favorite historical sites to visit...now that they have added the interactive museum and live interpreters...I could spend days walking around and watching all the informative videos and reading all the history tidbits. In fact, my wedding reception was held at the Mount Vernon Inn and my parents live about a mile and a half from this historic spot on the Potomac River. When I go home and visit...I love to steal away to this beautiful plantation and get lost in the history and entreprenurial endeavors of George Washington. For anyone thinking of taking a trip to visit DC...I would highly recommend taking several hours to visit the Home of George and Martha Washington.
Yada yada yada...here are a few pics from one of my fall visits

the front gates after closing

one of the beautiful gardens

the breath-taking view from the back porch
(and yes...
he actually toured the inside of the mansion with me
...what a great and innocent perspective he had:)

the chairs lined up on the back porch...
allowing visitors to sit and soak up the beauty and stillness of the scenery

what started out as a small run down home...
Washington envisioned and created into this mansion
He owned approximately 8,000 acres of farm land!

ORGANIC

ORGANIC

What emotions and thoughts does that one word excite? For me...I see the word and start blinking dollar signs!! However, I am someone who places that word high enough that I often find myself spending the extra bucks. I rarely buy "junk" food (as this is a budget drainer) so with the extra dollars saved I can splurge when it comes to fruits and veggies. I also rarely buy organic processed foods (kinda defeats the purpose in my mind), but I have always been a sucker for the organic produce.
Well, my thoughts and actions have been validated recently as I have read a few articles about which veggies you should prioritize in the realm of organic.
In the article I most recently read the author referred to this list as the "dirty dozen"

Peaches, strawberries, apples, nectarines, pears,
cherries, raspberries, imported grapes,
spinach, celery, potatoes, and bell peppers

I usually add carrots and onions to my list.
For those of you local shoppers I would encourage you to watch Kroger and Farm Fresh as both of these stores often carry sales on their organic produce allowing them to be budget pleasers instead of budget busters. I rarely can afford several of these from the list...so I just stick to the ones I can fit into the budget.

Another tip to remember is that "picking" season and Farmer's Market season is quickly approaching. And while it feels so much healthier to pick your own...or to purchase from a local farmer...it does not insure ORGANIC produce.
The problem is that many farmers are using chemicals to protect their crops and fruits and veggies that are porous absorb these harmful chemicals in great amounts. So, check with local farms and ask if they are organic growers...better yet, grow your own!

BEWARE of the new "All Natural" trend that is popping up all over your produce department! It actually made me laugh outloud today as I picked up a bag of green peppers and saw on the front that they were "All Natural"...duh!!! Has anyone ever seen a green pepper that was only 99% natural and 1% artificial??
This is the marketing scheme that is out to compete with the Organic campaign, so don't be fooled as you shop the produce department.
My last addition to this post is a homemade veggie wash that will take all the nasty wax and filth off of any produce you bring into your home...whether self picked, market bought, store bought, or organic you should wash everything!

Veggie Wash

1 cup water 1 cup vinegar 2 tablespoons baking soda 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Mix the ingredients in a bowl or jug. There will be a chemical reaction between the vinegar and soda causing some fizzing, but once the fizzing has subsided, pour solution into spray bottle. Let it set on your produce for 10 minutes then rinse and enjoy.

Peroxide not Bleach

This post is for those of you who enjoy healthier alternatives instead of harsh chemicals in cleaning supplies. I was talking with my Aunt Becky last week about all the uses for White Vinegar in the home, but I mentioned to her that I had not found a suitable disinfectant that was made from non toxic ingredients. I am super picky about things being "disinfected", but hate the thought of Titus crawling around on a floor I just bleached...or taking a bath in a tub that was recently scrubbed out with bleach. Maybe many of you think I am nuts, but I have been enjoying the experimentation process...and enjoying the ease on my pocket book...now that I am making my own cleaning supplies. I received this e-mail today and thought I would post it for those of you who enjoy healthier alternatives. Some of these ideas I already use, but I had never thought to use peroxide instead of bleach. (I must say that I do disagree with #6...Peroxide is not the best to use on open wounds due to its effect on the layers of tissue...and even though it hurts, Rubbing Alcohol will clean a wound without damaging any of the layers of tissue.)

PEROXIDE NOT BLEACH

This was written by Becky Ransey of Indiana (a doctor's wife), and I want to share it with you. She was over recently for coffee and smelled the bleach I was using to clean my toilet and countertops. This is what she told me...
I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little old bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store. What does bleach cost? My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide. Have you ever smelled bleach in a
doctor's office? NO!!!
Why? Because it smells, and it is not healthy! Ask the nurses who work in the doctor's offices, and ask them if they use bleach at home. They are wiser and know better!
Did you also know bleach was invented in the late 40's? It's chlorine, Folks! And it was used to kill our troops. Peroxide was invented during WWI in the 20's. It was used to save and help cleanse the needs of our troops and hospitals. Please think about this.

1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. (I do it when bathing.) No more canker sores, and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs.

3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.

4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine but was healed by soaking in peroxide.

7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.

8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue.

9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair,spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, faddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually, so it's not a drastic change.

11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.

12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing, which is why I love it so much for this. I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle no home should be without! With prices of most necessities rising, I'm glad there's a way to save tons of money in such a simple, healthy manner!