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		<title>Marjoram: 10 Incredible Uses for this Underappreciated Herb</title>
		<link>https://ecosalon.com/uses-fo-marjoram/</link>
		<comments>https://ecosalon.com/uses-fo-marjoram/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Aug 2013 07:00:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Aylin Erman]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[culinary herbs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[herbal remedies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marjoram]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[oregano]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unusual uses]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<p>One of the most underrated herbs is marjoram. But give one these incredible uses a try and let a love affair begin. Marjoram is like oregano’s sweeter, lighter sibling. A Mediterranean-region staple, marjoram has a very distinct aroma that was praised among ancient Greeks and Romans as a symbol of love and happiness. Newlyweds would&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com/uses-fo-marjoram/">Marjoram: 10 Incredible Uses for this Underappreciated Herb</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com">EcoSalon</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/?attachment_id=140267" rel="attachment wp-att-140267"><a href="https://ecosalon.com/uses-fo-marjoram/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-140267" alt="marjoram leaves" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/marjoram.jpg" width="450" height="299" /></a></a></p>
<p><em>One of the most underrated herbs is marjoram. But give one these incredible uses a try and let a love affair begin.</em></p>
<p>Marjoram is like oregano’s sweeter, lighter sibling. A Mediterranean-region staple, marjoram has a very distinct aroma that was praised among ancient Greeks and Romans as a symbol of love and happiness. Newlyweds would often be crowned with wreaths made of sweet marjoram to promise a long-lasting marriage. Deceased people who had marjoram growing on their graves were considered to be granted with eternal peace and happiness. <em></em>Commonly, marjoram is used to season soups, stews, dressings and sauces, but its uses go much further than that. Due to its high nutrient content and flavor, the herb is a potent healer that surpasses many other herbs.</p>
<p>The herb is incredibly healing and quite the perk to many of your favorite dishes. Marjoram leaves contain essential oils and acids, vitamins A, B3, B6, C, D, and K as well as flavonoids, potassium, manganese, iron, copper and phosphorus. These ten uses of marjoram are just a glimpse of what it can do for you.</p><div id="inContentContiner"><!-- /4450967/ES-In-Content -->
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<p><b>1. Heart Health</b></p>
<p>Your heart may love the herb in more ways than one. Marjoram has been shown to <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23054890">improve cardiovascular health</a> and support a strong and robust heart.</p>
<p><b>2. “Anti” Herb</b></p>
<p>Marjoram possesses antibiotic, antibacterial, antidepressant, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, making it great for treating a host of <a href="http://www.oilsmentor.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Marjoram-Information-Sheet.pdf">infections</a>.</p>
<p><b>3. Natural Fragrance</b></p>
<p>Take fresh marjoram and rub the leaves on your wrists and behind your ears, enough to release the herb’s essential oils. What you are left with is a light fragrance that bears piney, citrus overtones. I find the aroma fit for both men and women.</p>
<p><b>4. Digestive Aid</b></p>
<p>Marjoram’s essential oils have <a href="http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-marjoram-essential-oil.html" target="_blank">digestive properties</a>. Its oils stimulate the secretion of digestive juices, starting with the salivary glands in the mouth. Then, it jump starts the secretion of gastric juices and bile as well as the peristaltic movement of the intestines.</p>
<p><b>5. Tea</b></p>
<p>Enjoy marjoram’s many benefits in a relaxing way – as a <a href="http://ecosalon.com/10-healthy-diy-tea-elixirs-health-pms-digestion/" target="_blank">tea</a>! Simply drop fresh marjoram leaves in piping hot tea water and let steep for a few minutes before sipping.</p>
<p><b>6. Pizza Topping</b></p>
<p>Oregano is a popular spice to season pizza with. Replace oregano with marjoram and bring a sweeter, albeit potent, flavor to the same old.</p>
<p><b>7. Anti-Aging Remedy</b></p>
<p>Aging is due to oxidation of cells, but foods high in antioxidants can reverse, or at least slow, this process. Marjoram is jam-packed with<a href="http://www.idosi.org/wjdfs/wjdfs2(1)/1.pdf"> antioxidants</a> and is thus a great anti-aging herb.</p>
<p><b>8. Sausage</b></p>
<p>If you make your own<a href="http://www.yummly.com/recipes/polish-sausage-with-marjoram"> sausage</a>, add more exciting flavors to the mix, starting with marjoram. Dried marjoram will give sausage a truly unique flavor and keep the taste buds guessing.</p>
<p><b>9. Menstrual Cycle Regularity</b></p>
<p>Because of its <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Marjoram---Anti-Inflammatory-and-Analgesic-Properties&amp;id=3938226" target="_blank">anti-inflammatory </a>properties, women who endure painful or irregular periods can benefit from regular marjoram consumption. The oils help to relieve cramps and other<a href="http://ecosalon.com/5-ways-to-relieve-negative-pms-symptoms/" target="_blank"> menstrual symptoms</a>. The herb is also beneficial for those going through menopause. Pregnant women should avoid marjoram, as it can cause uterine contractions.</p>
<p><b>10. Pesto</b></p>
<p>Why stick with the same old when you can add a little bit of mystery to a regular recipe? Add some fresh marjoram to your next pesto recipe and you’ll see a lot of raised eyebrows, wondering what the secret ingredient could possibly be.</p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><strong>Image</strong>: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegardenbuzz/5334103284/sizes/m/in/photolist-98mF51-bLVUiH-8K8Kmk-9YZVZv-euTj6P-8jXB3v-bUU8Lq-8sNsWm-c2Xbfo-akv6hj-akshhn-dcMxPH-dcMAcU-cDBpM1-cDBmSJ-cDBin3-8NBd7G-8NBcYy-8NBdnd-93muvC-fbrBEH-7RnKSs-8mdE6M-8mdDSF-bacg3n-9FMbBW-fw8e9g-af2mUi-8mgNi7-dopWC7-9QtnMc-dLwkcH-cteXUS-ctePyh-7YsmrN-bJGpVz-7XAWzt-ccby9b-aCMwLW-bLYoGR-dVMQw7-baDv8v-86XTpV-bsQAms-bV25ES-e4z4UA-bV25F1-bV25F3-bEPGD7-fw8ejz-bBARgq/" target="_blank">TheGardenBuzz</a></span></em></p>
<p><strong>Related on EcoSalon</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/culinary-herbs-you-may-never-have-cooked-with/" target="_blank">7 Unusual Culinary Herbs You May Never Have Cooked With&#8230;Yet</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-everyday-herbs/" target="_blank">20 Unusual Uses For Everyday Herbs</a></p>
</p><p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com/uses-fo-marjoram/">Marjoram: 10 Incredible Uses for this Underappreciated Herb</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com">EcoSalon</a>.</p>
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		<title>Unusual Uses for 9 Pantry Items</title>
		<link>https://ecosalon.com/unusual-uses-for-9-everyday-pantry-items-462/</link>
		<comments>https://ecosalon.com/unusual-uses-for-9-everyday-pantry-items-462/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:05:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephanie Rogers]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[baking soda]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coffee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[garlic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[honey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lemon Juice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[list]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[olive oil]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Popular]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[salt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[staple pantry items]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stephanie Rogers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unusual uses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vinegar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wine]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://ecosalon.com/?p=104774</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>180 handy uses for 9 items you already have in your pantry. Looking to simplify your life, save money or cut the number of chemicals you use around the house? Chances are, you&#8217;ve already got nine natural, versatile products in your pantry that can do far more than you think. There are literally hundreds of&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com/unusual-uses-for-9-everyday-pantry-items-462/">Unusual Uses for 9 Pantry Items</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com">EcoSalon</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://ecosalon.com/unusual-uses-for-9-everyday-pantry-items-462/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-104775" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-roundup-main.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="459" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-roundup-main.jpg 455w, https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-roundup-main-150x150.jpg 150w, https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-roundup-main-297x300.jpg 297w, https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-roundup-main-411x415.jpg 411w" sizes="(max-width: 455px) 100vw, 455px" /></a></p>
<p><em>180 handy uses for 9 items you already have in your pantry.</em></p>
<p>Looking to simplify your life, save money or cut the number of chemicals you use around the house? Chances are, you&#8217;ve already got nine natural, versatile products in your pantry that can do far more than you think. There are literally hundreds of surprising and unusual alternative uses for olive oil, wine, salt, garlic, coffee, lemon juice, baking soda, vinegar and honey. Here&#8217;s a roundup of EcoSalon&#8217;s 20 Unusual Uses series.</p>
<p><strong>Coffee</strong><br />
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-104776" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-for-coffee-11.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="336" /></p><div id="inContentContiner"><!-- /4450967/ES-In-Content -->
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<p>Even after those rich, earthy grounds have given you your must-have pot of coffee in the morning, they can do so much more. Unusual uses for coffee include nourishing your plants, massaging away your cellulite, dyeing fabric, growing mushrooms and keeping cats out of your garden.</p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-coffee">Read 20 Unusual Uses for Coffee</a></p>
<p><strong>Lemon juice</strong><br />
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-104777" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-for-lemons-11.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="347" /></p>
<p>Using lemon wedges solely as a pretty garnish on the edge of a glass is actually kind of insulting considering all that this little citrus fruit has to offer. Its acidity enables it to preserve foods, whiten fingernails, clean glass, highlight your hair and brighten your white laundry without bleach.</p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-lemon-juice">Read 20 Unusual Uses for Lemon Juice</a></p>
<p><strong>Olive oil</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-104778" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-for-olive-oil-11.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="350" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-for-olive-oil-11.jpg 455w, https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-for-olive-oil-11-300x230.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 455px) 100vw, 455px" /></p>
<p>Mmm, olive oil. Besides being the most perfect bread dip ever, it&#8217;s ultra-moisturizing, making it an ideal solution for all kinds of things you never realized. Olive oil has all kinds of beauty and household uses like conditioning your hair, removing stickers, getting a smooth shave, buffing stainless steel to a shine and removing heavy eye makeup.</p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-tips-for-olive-oil-395/">Read 20 Unusual Uses for Olive Oil</a></p>
<p><strong>Garlic</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-104779" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-for-garlic-11.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="380" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-for-garlic-11.jpg 455w, https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-for-garlic-11-300x250.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 455px) 100vw, 455px" /></p>
<p>This broad-spectrum antibiotic is a must-have for colds, cuts, cold sores and ear infections. And, though it may sound weird at first, garlic has plenty more uses outside the kitchen. It makes a highly aromatic yet effective cleanser for your skin, mosquito repellent and hair growth tonic. If you&#8217;re lucky, it might even turn you on.</p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-garlic/">Read 20 Unusual Uses for Garlic</a></p>
<p><strong>Salt</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-104780" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-for-salt-11.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="336" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-for-salt-11.jpg 455w, https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-for-salt-11-300x221.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 455px) 100vw, 455px" /><br />
We simply can&#8217;t live without salt. Our bodies require it, and our food tastes bland without it. But chances are, you&#8217;ve been underestimating just how much it can do for you. Salt will sanitize your sponges, heal canker sores, keep milk fresh, preserve sliced fruit and keep your clothes from freezing on the line.</p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-salt-349/">Read 20 Unusual Uses for Salt</a></p>
<p><strong>Wine</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-104781" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-wine-1.jpg" alt="" width="455" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-wine-1.jpg 608w, https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-wine-1-300x208.jpg 300w, https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-wine-1-455x316.jpg 455w" sizes="(max-width: 608px) 100vw, 608px" /></p>
<p>So you&#8217;re not crazy about that bottle of cheap Merlot that you got as a gift. What are alternative uses for unwanted or sour wine? Well, you could add it to your bath, use it to clean your countertops, trap fruit flies, heal bruises and maybe even slow down the aging process. Filling up that wine rack has never been more of an imperative.</p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-wine-332/">Read 20 Unusual Uses for Wine</a></p>
<p><strong>Baking soda</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-104782" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-baking-soda.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="301" /></p>
<p>Stop buying toxic oven cleaner, expensive fruit and vegetable sprays and special face scrubs. Baking soda can do all of these things and more. This cheap household essential is usually kept in the fridge to cut odor and added to recipes to make baked goods rise, but once you learn all of these surprising uses for it, you&#8217;ll start buying it in bulk.</p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-baking-soda-274/">Read 20 Unusual Uses for Baking Soda</a></p>
<p><strong>Vinegar</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-104783" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-vinegar.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="339" /></p>
<p>Discovered thousands of years ago when wine, beer and cider was accidentally allowed to spoil, vinegar brings out the flavor in so many foods. But this acidic condiment also has some benefits that might surprise you, like dissolving rust, cleaning crusty paint brushes, soothing sore muscles and removing those ugly pit stains from your clothing.</p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-vinegar-253/">Read 20 Unusual Uses for Vinegar</a></p>
<p><strong>Honey</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-104784" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-honey.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="350" /></p>
<p>Tasting sweet is just the beginning. Honey is antibacterial, anti-fungal, nourishing and moisturizing, and its many uses are pretty amazing. Make your own luscious homemade lotion, heal your sore throat, boost your athletic performance and eliminate that hangover. It even helps heal cuts and scrapes.</p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/foodie-underground-20-uses-for-honey-that-you-never-thought-of-190/">Read 20 Unusual Uses for Honey</a></p>
<p>Photos: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/selma90/3575452303/">selma90</a>,<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fdecomite/2141147398/"> fdecomite</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dailyinvention/80347041/">dailyinvention</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vickyb/225555649/">brickvicky</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/visualpanic/444646564/">visualpanic</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilconway/5028351002/">neilconway</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gottgraphicsdesign/5582704112/">bgottsab</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/255533368/">carbonnyc</a>,<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/therahim/5560576118/"> rahim packir saibo</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/photoskate/5513795013/">photoskate</a>,  <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23905174@N00/636386698/">don hankins</a></p>
</p><p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com/unusual-uses-for-9-everyday-pantry-items-462/">Unusual Uses for 9 Pantry Items</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com">EcoSalon</a>.</p>
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		<title>20 Unusual Uses for Lemon Juice</title>
		<link>https://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-lemon-juice-438/</link>
		<comments>https://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-lemon-juice-438/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:00:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephanie Rogers]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beauty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cleaning tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DIY cleaning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lemons]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stephanie Rogers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unusual uses]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<p>When life gives you lemons, use them to clean your house. Juicy, aromatic and highly acidic, lemons bring out the flavor in sweet and savory foods but they nearly always play a supporting role in the kitchen. Stop relegating them to the rim of your glass and give these winter citrus fruits their due &#8211;&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-lemon-juice-438/">20 Unusual Uses for Lemon Juice</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com">EcoSalon</a>.</p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-lemon-juice-438/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-103939" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-for-lemons-1.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="347" /></a></p>
<p><em>When life gives you lemons, use them to clean your house.</em></p>
<p>Juicy, aromatic and highly acidic, lemons bring out the flavor in sweet and savory foods but they nearly always play a supporting role in the kitchen. Stop relegating them to the rim of your glass and give these winter citrus fruits their due &#8211; because they&#8217;re serious cleaning and freshening powerhouses. These 20 unusual uses for lemon juice will make your home look and smell fresh, brighten your laundry, and improve your hair, nails and skin.</p>
<p>Quick tip: roll a fresh lemon under your palm on the countertop to soften it up for easier juicing.</p><div id="inContentContiner"><!-- /4450967/ES-In-Content -->
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<p><strong>Fingernail Brightener</strong></p>
<p>Nails looking dull and yellowed after a long period covered in dark polish? Just squeeze a lemon into a small dish, clean your nails and soak them in the lemon juice for a minute or two. Some women claim that this treatment will also make nails stronger, particularly when adding a tablespoon or so of <a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-tips-for-olive-oil-395/">olive oil</a> to the dish.</p>
<p><strong>Food Preservative</strong></p>
<p>Keep cut fruit and vegetables like apples, pears, avocados and potatoes from turning brown by squeezing on a little bit of lemon juice. You can also perk up droopy lettuce by soaking it for an hour in a bowl of cold water and the juice of one lemon.</p>
<p><strong>Emergency Deodorant</strong></p>
<p>Caught smelling less-than-fresh, with no deodorant around to save the day? Cut a lemon in half (or snag a wedge from your drinking glass) and rub it under your arms. The citric acid in lemon juice will reportedly kill odor-causing bacteria. In fact, you could use this trick to ditch conventional deodorants altogether.</p>
<p><strong>Odor Destroyer</strong></p>
<p>Even garlic, fish, mothballs and that disgusting gunk in your garbage disposal can&#8217;t stand up to lemon juice&#8217;s odor-eliminating power. Use a cut lemon or fresh-squeezed lemon juice to remove bad smells from your refrigerator, cutting board, microwave or practically any other surface. You can even add it to the cooking water of stinky foods like cabbage, or just simmer lemon peel in water on the stovetop as a natural air freshener.</p>
<p><strong>Insect Deterrent</strong></p>
<p>Many insects are highly sensitive to smell, including spiders, ants, fleas and typically so-hardy-they&#8217;re-almost-alien cockroaches. Squirt lemon juice in windowsills, the thresholds of doors, along baseboards and into any cracks where insects might get into the house. Add lemon juice to your floor wash for even more insect-repelling action.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-103938" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-for-lemons-2.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="323" /></p>
<p><strong>Lighten Age Spots and Freckles</strong></p>
<p>There&#8217;s some debate as to whether this actually works, but if you&#8217;re desperate to reduce the appearance of freckles or dreaded age spots, lemon juice might be worth a try. Apply lemon juice with a cotton ball once per day and over time &#8211; we&#8217;re talking months &#8211; they may lighten a little bit.</p>
<p><strong>Glass Cleaner</strong></p>
<p>Lemon juice will make hard water stains, debris and other marks on glass disappear. Use straight lemon juice on a sponge for tough jobs, or dilute a few tablespoons in a cup of water and spray it on. Wipe it off with newspaper for totally transparent windows (that might just kill a bird or two.)</p>
<p><strong>Stain Remover</strong></p>
<p>Sweat, mildew, berries, wine, oil &#8211; pretty much any substance that leaves a stain on fabric can be removed with good old lemon juice. Durable fabrics can be rubbed with a paste of lemon juice and salt while more delicate fabrics might require a gentler touch, saturating the stain with lemon juice and then washing it out.</p>
<p><strong>Sore Throat Soother</strong></p>
<p>Gargle with a teaspoon of lemon juice in 1/8 cup of warm water to help shrink swollen throat tissue and kill bacteria. Frequent cups of hot tea made with a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of lemon juice will also do the trick.<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Toilet Cleaner</strong></p>
<p>When mixed with household borax (not the insecticide kind), lemon juice can remove even those stubborn rust stains from the toilet bowl. Make a paste of borax and lemon juice and apply it to the stain with a scrub brush or sponge. Let it sit for up to two hours, then scrub away.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-103937" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-for-lemons-3.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="339" /></p>
<p><strong>Metabolism Booster</strong></p>
<p>Does lemon juice really boost metabolism? Some of the claims raise red flags as being a bit too enthusiastic, and most of these lemon-based &#8220;metabolism boosters&#8221; are recommended as food replacements in starvation diets. But hey, adding a little lemon juice to your water every day will make it taste better, and drinking more water can definitely help you lose weight. So, there&#8217;s that!</p>
<p><strong>Dandruff Treatment</strong></p>
<p>Lemon juice may not cure dandruff or prevent it from occurring in the first place, but it can remove flakes that are already present so you don&#8217;t have to worry about them making an appearance on your clothing. Massage lemon juice into your scalp, leave it on for ten minutes and shampoo as usual.</p>
<p><strong>Metal Polish</strong></p>
<p>Slice a lemon in half, dip it in salt and rub it onto metal surfaces like stainless steel ranges and copper pots to eliminate grime and make them gleam.</p>
<p><strong>Rice De-Sticker</strong></p>
<p>A few drops of lemon juice added to simmering rice will keep it from sticking to the pot, making clean-up a lot easier.</p>
<p><strong>Hair Highlighter</strong></p>
<p>You can achieve natural-looking highlights at home with nothing more than a little lemon juice, a sunny day and something to occupy your hands for an hour or two. Either apply it directly to the strands you want to highlight or get an overall lightening effect by spraying on a diluted mixture of 1/2 cup lemon juice to 1/2 cup of water. The intensity of the lightening will vary depending on your hair type and texture.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-103936" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-for-lemons-4.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="354" /><br />
<strong>Laundry Brightener</strong></p>
<p>Just as it removes stains, lemon juice can act as a natural, non-toxic alternative to bleach. Add a quarter cup of juice to the washing machine to brighten whites. Lemon juice&#8217;s stain-removing power is further heightened by hanging the treated laundry up to dry in the sun.</p>
<p><strong>Heartburn Relief</strong></p>
<p>The efficacy of this trick depends on whether your heartburn is caused by too much acid in your stomach, or not enough. If it&#8217;s the latter, drinking a little lemon juice in water can quickly relieve discomfort.</p>
<p><strong>Facial Treatment</strong></p>
<p>Applied with a cotton ball, a little lemon juice acts as an astringent, eliminating oil and tightening pores for a smoother look. Mix salt and lemon juice into a paste for an all-natural exfoliant.</p>
<p><strong>Itchy Skin Soother</strong></p>
<p>Apply full-strength lemon juice to unbearably itchy skin rashes like poison ivy to soothe them and keep them from spreading.</p>
<p><strong>Hangover Help</strong></p>
<p>The next time you&#8217;re groaning in pain the morning after enjoying just a tad too much alcohol, try drinking a little lemon juice squeezed into warm water or tea. Not only does it help you re-hydrate, but the lemon juice can reportedly help balance the pH levels in your body and replace the vitamin C lost in the binge.</p>
<p><strong>ALSO CHECK OUT:</strong></p>
<p><a href="/20-unusual-uses-for-wine-332/">20 Unusual Uses for Wine</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-salt-349/">20 Unusual Uses for Salt</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-garlic/">20 Unusual Uses for Garlic</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/foodie-underground-20-uses-for-honey-that-you-never-thought-of-190/">20 Unusual Uses for Honey</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-tips-for-olive-oil-395/">20 Unusual Uses for Olive Oil</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-baking-soda-274/">20 Unusual Uses for Baking Soda</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-coffee-423/" target="_blank">20 Unusual Uses for Coffee</a></p>
<p>Photos: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilconway/5028351002/">neil conway</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimberley-sarah/3553924008/">ninetwoseven</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51415056@N08/6039604370/">corbin_dana</a>,  <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/conanil/2413282332/">conanil</a></p>
</p><p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-lemon-juice-438/">20 Unusual Uses for Lemon Juice</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com">EcoSalon</a>.</p>
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		<title>20 Unusual Uses for Coffee</title>
		<link>https://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-coffee-423/</link>
		<comments>https://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-coffee-423/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:11:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephanie Rogers]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coffee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DIY beauty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DIY cleaning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[list]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[natural beauty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stephanie Rogers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unusual uses]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<p>More ways to justify your addiction to caffeine. Can you imagine life without coffee? We&#8217;d all stumble around like drones for hours every morning, lost without our precious fix. We love coffee for its flavor, its aroma and of course its pick-me-up, but there are at least 20 more compelling reasons to stay stocked up.&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-coffee-423/">20 Unusual Uses for Coffee</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com">EcoSalon</a>.</p>
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				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-coffee-423/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-104509" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-for-coffee-1.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="336" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-for-coffee-1.jpg 455w, https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-for-coffee-1-300x221.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 455px) 100vw, 455px" /></a></p>
<p><em>More ways to justify your addiction to caffeine.</em></p>
<p>Can you imagine life without coffee? We&#8217;d all stumble around like drones for hours every morning, lost without our precious fix. We love coffee for its flavor, its aroma and of course its pick-me-up, but there are at least 20 more compelling reasons to stay stocked up. These tips will give you surprising and unusual uses for fresh coffee beans or grounds that have gone stale, the pounds of used grounds you toss out every week and the dregs at the bottom of your cup.</p>
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<p>Wouldn&#8217;t you rather smell coffee than two-week-old leftovers, half-rotten produce and spoiled milk? If your fridge is a nightmare of foul odors, place a bowl of fresh, unused coffee grounds inside and leave it for a day or two. The coffee will absorb the odors and you&#8217;ll crave a cup whenever you open the door. This odor-killing trick works for practically anything else as well &#8211; just place the item in a sealed plastic bag along with an open can of coffee grounds and bye-bye stank.</p>
<p><strong>Reduce cellulite</strong></p>
<p>Pricey cellulite creams almost always have one major ingredient in common: caffeine, which supposedly enhances fat metabolism, reducing the appearance of these fatty pockets under the skin. To make your own coffee cellulite treatment at home, mix warm used coffee grounds with coconut oil and rub it onto your skin in circular motions for a few minutes before rinsing.</p>
<p><strong>Erase smells on your hands</strong></p>
<p>Garlic, salmon, cilantro &#8211; there are some things that smell delicious when cooking, but aren&#8217;t so pleasant hours later when they linger on your hands. Get rid of them by rubbing a handful of used coffee grounds on your hands and rinsing with warm water.</p>
<p><strong>Make rich compost</strong></p>
<p>There&#8217;s a reason so many gardeners <a href="http://www.sunset.com/garden/earth-friendly/starbucks-coffee-compost-test-00400000016986/">swear by</a> adding used coffee grounds to compost. The grounds are rich in phosphorous, potassium, magnesium and copper, they release nitrogen into the soil as they degrade and they&#8217;re a little bit acidic, which is great for certain soils. If you compost on a large scale, you can get used grounds for free at your local coffee hot spot or mom-and-pop cafe.</p>
<p><strong>Get shiny hair</strong></p>
<p>Who doesn&#8217;t want shiny, healthy-looking hair? Coffee is often recommended as a simple, natural treatment to make hair extra-glossy. Brew up an extra-strong pot, let it cool and apply it to your dry, clean hair. Leave it on for at least twenty minutes, then rinse. Keep it up once a week or so for best results.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-104508" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-for-coffee-2.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="362" /></p>
<p><strong>Natural dye</strong></p>
<p>The natural pigments in coffee make it a great natural dye for fabric, paper, Easter eggs &#8211; even your hair. Brush paper with strong brew and let it dry, or soak fabric items in hot coffee. The results won&#8217;t be color-fast, and may bleed out onto other items, so it&#8217;s best to use this on items that won&#8217;t be washed very often if at all. Using coffee as a hair shine treatment, as previously mentioned, may temporarily lend a rich, dark tint to your hair.</p>
<p><strong>Reduce fireplace mess</strong></p>
<p>Want to clean your fireplace without causing a dust storm? Wait until the embers are cool, sprinkle damp coffee grounds all over the ashes , let them sit for about 15 minutes and then scoop out the whole mess into a metal ash can. The coffee grounds cling to the ashes, so they don&#8217;t  spew dust nearly as much as they would otherwise.</p>
<p><strong>Pin cushion filler</strong></p>
<p>Dried, used coffee grounds are the perfect filler for <a href="http://jojoebi.blogspot.com/2010/01/pin-cushions-and-light-tents.html">homemade pin cushions</a>. Just wrap them in some scrap cloth, tie it off with a rubber band and place the cloth in an egg cup or other small container. The grounds will keep your pins from rusting, too.</p>
<p><strong>Exfoliate skin</strong></p>
<p>The same properties that reportedly enable coffee to reduce the appearance of cellulite can smooth and tighten your skin, and the texture of ground coffee will buff away dead skin cells, too. Make your own coffee-based scrub by combining a tablespoon of coffee grounds with half a tablespoon of olive oil and, optionally, a drop of your favorite essential oil.</p>
<p><strong>Repel ants</strong></p>
<p>Sprinkle dry, used coffee grounds in problem areas where you notice ants in your home or yard and they might just pick up and leave. To tackle huge ant mounds, pour an entire pot of brewed coffee right on the mound.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-104507" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-for-coffee-4.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="351" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-for-coffee-4.jpg 455w, https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-for-coffee-4-300x231.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 455px) 100vw, 455px" /></p>
<p><strong>Fertilize plants</strong></p>
<p>Acid-loving plants will thank you for sprinkling your used coffee grounds around their roots. Azaleas, blueberry shrubs and rhododendrons are just a few of the plants that flourish when treated with coffee thanks to all those nutrients. You can also dilute the leftover coffee in your mug and pour it right into your potted plants (as long as you don&#8217;t use cream and sugar, of course!)</p>
<p><strong>Keep cats out of your garden</strong></p>
<p>To you, that little garden in your yard is a beautiful source of fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables, but to seemingly every cat in a five-mile radius, it&#8217;s a giant, irresistible litter box. Just use the trick mentioned above, sprinkling used coffee grounds on the soil, and cats will want nothing to do with it.</p>
<p><strong>Scrub all kinds of surfaces</strong></p>
<p>Mildly abrasive and acidic, coffee grounds are great for scrubbing surfaces like countertops, cooking ranges and refrigerators. Use them alone or mix them with a little dish soap.</p>
<p><strong>Auto air freshener</strong></p>
<p>Next time you accidentally spill coffee grounds on the floor, don&#8217;t just sweep them up and toss them in the trash. You can use them to make an all-natural DIY air freshener <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Coffee-Scented-Air-Freshener/">like this one at Instructables</a>. Try to use an old ripped pair of pantyhose and spare string to make this an even more eco-friendly project.</p>
<p><strong>Grow mushrooms</strong></p>
<p>Used coffee grounds are an ideal medium to grow many kinds of mushrooms, including oyster mushrooms. You can actually purchase mushroom-growing kits from a company called<a href="http://backtotheroots.com/index.php"> Back to the Roots </a>which includes reclaimed coffee grounds, mushroom roots and a mini spray bottle. The kit can produce up to 1.5 pounds of oyster mushrooms within 10 days.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-104506" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-for-coffee-3.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="338" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-for-coffee-3.jpg 455w, https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-for-coffee-3-300x222.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 455px) 100vw, 455px" /></p>
<p><strong>Repel fleas</strong></p>
<p>Rub used, damp coffee grounds through your pet&#8217;s fur after bathing to repel fleas without questionable, likely-toxic chemical treatments. If nothing else, it will at least improve that post-bath wet-dog smell that gets all over your furniture.</p>
<p><strong>Pretty vase fillers</strong></p>
<p>Stale or dirty coffee beans are still a thing of beauty. Use them as vase fillers, or in cups or jars full of pens and pencils. Not only are they pretty, they continue to smell good for quite a while, too.</p>
<p><strong>Start vermicomposting</strong></p>
<p>Red wriggler worms, the sort used in vermicomposting systems, love coffee almost as much as we do. It&#8217;s not really clear why, but if you want a thriving community of worms to devour all of your kitchen waste (and those nasty little things really are amazingly efficient), be sure to add used coffee grounds to their bedding on a regular basis.</p>
<p><strong>Secret recipe ingredient</strong></p>
<p>Just a little hint of coffee can be the ingredient that becomes your undisclosed &#8220;magic touch&#8221; in foods like chili, ice cream and chocolate cake. Use a little bit as a marinade for steaks and not only will it make them unbelievably tender, it&#8217;ll also provide a hint of deep, smoky flavor.</p>
<p><strong>Touch up furniture scratches</strong></p>
<p>Scratches on wood furniture disappear almost instantly by simply rubbing in a little bit of instant coffee dampened into a paste with hot water. Repeat if necessary until the scratch matches the surrounding wood.</p>
<p><strong>ALSO CHECK OUT:</strong></p>
<p><a href="/20-unusual-uses-for-wine-332/">20 Unusual Uses for Wine</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-salt-349/">20 Unusual Uses for Salt</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-garlic/">20 Unusual Uses for Garlic</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/foodie-underground-20-uses-for-honey-that-you-never-thought-of-190/">20 Unusual Uses for Honey</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-tips-for-olive-oil-395/">20 Unusual Uses for Olive Oil</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-tips-for-olive-oil-395/">20 Unusual Uses for Baking Soda</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-lemon-juice-438/" target="_blank">20 Unusual Uses for Lemon Juice</a></p>
<p>Photos: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/visualpanic/444646564/">visual panic</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/promiseproduction/4012523849/">mzpromise</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/selma90/3575452303/">selma90</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laflaf/5321084110/">laflaf</a></p>
</p><p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-coffee-423/">20 Unusual Uses for Coffee</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com">EcoSalon</a>.</p>
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		<title>20 Unusual Uses for Olive Oil</title>
		<link>https://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-tips-for-olive-oil-395/</link>
		<comments>https://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-tips-for-olive-oil-395/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:04:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephanie Rogers]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[household products]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[list]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[natural beauty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[olive oil]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stephanie Rogers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unusual uses]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<p>Olive oil glides into place as a must-have household and beauty product. Life without olive oil would be sad indeed. Since antiquity, this miracle substance has been revered for its wonderfully fruity flavor, but it&#8217;s so much more than a healthy topping for salad and a heavenly dip for fresh-baked bread. Olive oil has dozens&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-tips-for-olive-oil-395/">20 Unusual Uses for Olive Oil</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com">EcoSalon</a>.</p>
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<p><em>Olive oil glides into place as a must-have household and beauty product.</em></p>
<p>Life without olive oil would be sad indeed. Since antiquity, this miracle substance has been revered for its wonderfully fruity flavor, but it&#8217;s so much more than a healthy topping for salad and a heavenly dip for fresh-baked bread. Olive oil has dozens of unusual uses around the house, not to mention its powerful moisturizing and healing properties on the hair and skin.  Check out 20 reasons why you should never be caught without it.</p>
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<p>When your hands are covered in paint, sap or any other sticky substance that&#8217;s hard to remove, try scrubbing them with olive oil and a little salt or sugar. The paint will come right off and your skin will be soft and exfoliated.</p>
<p><strong>Eye makeup remover</strong></p>
<p>Even the heaviest, drag-show-worthy makeup job can&#8217;t stand up to the removal power of olive oil. Dab a little on a cotton pad and your eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara &#8211; including waterproof formulas &#8211; will wipe right off.</p>
<p><strong>Furniture polish</strong></p>
<p>Olive oil helps remove dust from furniture and gives it a shine. Add a teaspoon to a quarter cup of lemon juice, and you&#8217;ve got a non-toxic, petroleum-free polish that also gently cleans wood surfaces.</p>
<p><strong>Skin moisturizer</strong></p>
<p>You might think using olive oil as a moisturizer would leave you with oily skin, but that&#8217;s not the case. Used in small amounts, it seeps in completely, eliminating dryness and reducing the appearance of wrinkles without clogging pores.</p>
<p><strong>Shoe polish</strong></p>
<p>What, exactly, is it in shoe polish that has such a headache-inducing smell? It could be any number of potentially toxic ingredients. Banish them from your house and use olive oil instead. Just buff onto your leather shoes with a cloth.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-103574" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-for-olive-oil-2.jpg" alt="" width="468" height="337" /></p>
<p><strong>Hinge lubricant</strong></p>
<p>WD-40 shouldn&#8217;t hold a monopoly on squeaky door hinges when simple, natural olive oil works just as well. Wipe it on with a cotton ball or use a spray bottle to lubricate the hinge and eliminate that annoying creak.</p>
<p><strong>Bath oil</strong></p>
<p>Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil and you&#8217;ve got a custom bath oil that will gently scent and moisturize your skin.</p>
<p><strong>Stainless steel shine</strong></p>
<p>Olive oil alone will buff stainless steel and brass surfaces to a brilliant shine. Just wipe off any debris and allow the surfaces to dry completely, then pour a little oil onto a clean, soft cloth. Buff in circular motions with firm pressure.</p>
<p><strong>Smooth shave</strong></p>
<p>Slick and moisturizing, olive oil will help your razor glide along your skin for a super-close, smooth shave with fewer nicks.</p>
<p><strong>Throat soother</strong></p>
<p>Got a big singing performance or speech coming up? Swallow a tablespoon of olive oil just before you step on stage and you won&#8217;t have to clear your throat nearly as often. This trick also works to soothe itchy throats and lubricate the back of the mouth and tonsil area, which may lessen snoring.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-103573" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-for-olive-oil-3.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="330" /></p>
<p><strong>Hair treatment</strong></p>
<p>Sure, you could buy a fancy commercially-prepared hot oil treatment for your hair &#8211; or you could just grab the bottle of olive oil that&#8217;s already sitting on a shelf in your kitchen. Apply a few tablespoons of warmed olive oil to damp hair, massage into the scalp and rub through the ends, then leave it on for thirty minutes to an hour. The oil will clean and condition the scalp, soften the hair and help the cuticles lay down flat for a sleek look.</p>
<p><strong>Ear ache relief</strong></p>
<p>A little warm olive oil is a fast, effective means of relieving painful ear aches. Just place the bottle in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes, then pour a few drops into the affected ear. To cure ear infections, infuse the olive oil <a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-garlic/">with a crushed clove of garlic</a>, strain the garlic out and drip into the ear.</p>
<p><strong>Sticker remover</strong></p>
<p>Dab olive oil onto a sticker or label, let it sit for a few minutes and the sticker will peel right off. No scraping needed, no annoying residue left behind.</p>
<p><strong>Lice treatment</strong></p>
<p>Olive oil has long been a preferred natural treatment to eliminate dreaded head lice. It reportedly helps to dissolve the exoskeleton of these little parasites, and smother the ones that are resistant. Pour it on to dry hair liberally, comb out any visible lice with a nit comb and then leave it on under a shower cap for up to 8 hours. Follow by coating the hair in apple cider vinegar; leave it on overnight, shampoo as usual and then comb out any remaining eggs.<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Hairball prevention</strong></p>
<p>Nobody likes the sound of a cat loudly hacking up a hairball, especially since it always seems to happen when you&#8217;re trying to eat or sleep. Help it pass through your cat&#8217;s system more easily by adding 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil to his or her food each day.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-103572" src="http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/unusual-uses-for-olive-oil-4.jpg" alt="" width="455" height="352" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-for-olive-oil-4.jpg 455w, https://storage.googleapis.com/wpesc/1/unusual-uses-for-olive-oil-4-300x232.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 455px) 100vw, 455px" /><br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Lamp fuel</strong></p>
<p>A blizzard just hit, the power&#8217;s out and you realized that you&#8217;re out of batteries and candles. Do you just sit around in the dark? No, you grab that bottle of olive oil &#8211; because by now you should know that it&#8217;s an absolute essential in your life &#8211; and use it to fuel a lamp. You can purchase specially made olive oil lamps, or simply pour it into a glass jar, poke a hole into the jar lid and insert an oil lamp wick.</p>
<p><strong>Chewing gum remover</strong></p>
<p>Whether your child comes home from school with a mass of sticky pink bubble gum in her hair or you find yourself the victim of a wayward wad, you don&#8217;t have to resort to any crazy tricks or &#8211; gasp &#8211; <em>scissors</em> to get it out. Apply olive oil to the gum and the surrounding hair, leave it on for five to ten minutes and then pull the gum out.</p>
<p><strong>Leather conditioner</strong></p>
<p>Just as it cleans and restores leather shoes, olive oil can be used to re-condition cracked, dry leather items like baseball gloves, car seats and saddles. It takes a bit longer to fully penetrate the leather than most conventional conditioners, but it works.<br />
<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Psoriasis and diaper rash treatment</strong></p>
<p>Olive oil soothes itchy, burning, irritated skin and may help rashes heal. Apply it to a baby&#8217;s diaper rash or directly to any eruptions on your own skin for quick relief. Consuming olive oil on a regular basis may also be helpful in the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis.</p>
<p><strong>Personal lubricant</strong></p>
<p>Squeaky hinges aren&#8217;t the only parts that work better when lubricated. But just because you&#8217;re in the mood for some slippery fun doesn&#8217;t mean you should grab a tube of KY. There are lots of <a href="http://ecosalon.com/sex-lube-your-own-personal-oil-slick/">safe, natural alternatives</a> to potentially toxic personal lubricants, but plain old olive oil will do the trick nicely &#8211; just avoid using it with latex condoms.</p>
<p><strong>ALSO CHECK OUT:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-salt-349/">20 Unusual Uses for Salt</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-garlic/">20 Unusual Uses for Garlic</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/foodie-underground-20-uses-for-honey-that-you-never-thought-of-190/">20 Unusual Uses for Honey</a></p>
<p><a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-baking-soda-274/" target="_blank">20 Unusual Uses for Baking Soda</a></p>
<p>Photos:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gottgraphicsdesign/5582704112/"> bgottsab</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49889874@N05/4883527730/">marc falardeau</a>,<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liz-grace/5473110292/"> liz grace</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrotmadman6/4752005479/">carrotmadman6</a></p>
</p><p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-tips-for-olive-oil-395/">20 Unusual Uses for Olive Oil</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com">EcoSalon</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Friday 5: Abridged Edition</title>
		<link>https://ecosalon.com/the-friday-5-abridged-edition/</link>
		<comments>https://ecosalon.com/the-friday-5-abridged-edition/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:53:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Amy DuFault]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amy DuFault]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Annie Leonard]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eames]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Navajo Nation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News & Culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Friday 5]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unusual uses]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wine]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<p>A weekly round up of EcoSalon&#8217;s top stories. This week on EcoSalon, we learned: That wine is more than just a social platform in 20 Unusual Uses for Wine. Fast fashion and knocking off Native Americans don&#8217;t mix in How the Navajo Nation Beat Urban Outfitters. We are getting smarter at watching for toxic junk&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com/the-friday-5-abridged-edition/">The Friday 5: Abridged Edition</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com">EcoSalon</a>.</p>
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<p><em>A weekly round up of EcoSalon&#8217;s top stories.</em></p>
<p>This week on EcoSalon, we learned:</p>
<p>That <a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-wine-332/">wine</a> is more than just a social platform in <a href="http://ecosalon.com/20-unusual-uses-for-wine-332/">20 Unusual Uses for Wine</a>.</p><div id="inContentContiner"><!-- /4450967/ES-In-Content -->
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<p>Fast fashion and knocking off Native Americans don&#8217;t mix in <a href="http://ecosalon.com/how-the-navajo-nation-beat-urban-outfitters/">How the Navajo Nation Beat Urban Outfitters.</a></p>
<p>We are getting smarter at watching for toxic junk in <a href="http://ecosalon.com/7-beauty-ingredients-to-avoid-339/">7 Beauty Ingredients to Avoid</a>.</p>
<p>A couple that stays together changes the world together in <a href="http://ecosalon.com/the-eames-influence-a-new-doc-about-the-sweethearts-of-american-design-347/">The Eames Influence: A New Film About the Sweethearts of American Design</a>.</p>
<p>We&#8217;re tired of having so much stuff but don&#8217;t know what to do with it in <a href="http://ecosalon.com/the-story-of-stuff-a-conversation-with-annie-leonard-343/">The Story of Stuff: A Conversation With Annie Leonard</a>.<em></em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</p><p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com/the-friday-5-abridged-edition/">The Friday 5: Abridged Edition</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://ecosalon.com">EcoSalon</a>.</p>
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