Sunday, March 21, 2010

WAHT TO DO WITH A CUCUMBER???

Hi Everyone!

My mom is always emailing interesting information to me. I found this to be most interesting and thought I would pass it along to you. I am definitely trying #6

This information was in The New York Times several weeks ago as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems.

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5,Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance..

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area. (WOW)

5.. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the photochemical in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!! (DOUBLE WOW)

6.. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber sliced rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10.. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemicals will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Bobbi from the Bead goes on sent this to me. It sounds wonderful

Refreshing Cucumber MaskNeed to make your face feel good after a long day at work, try this facial recipe.Ingredients:1 Tbsp full-fat yogurt1 Tbsp cucumber; chopped1 Tbsp fresh parsley; choppedInstructions:Puree all ingredients in a blender. Apply to freshly cleaned face and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.------------------Cucumber Yogurt MaskCucumber always revives, and it does in this recipe too.Ingredients:1/2 cucumber1 tablespoon yogurtInstructions:Puree cucumber and yogurt in a blender, apply to your face evenly. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water or soft wash


Bead with Honor and Integrity
Nicole/Beadwright

11 comments:

Betty said...

Wow! I did not know all the wonderful usages for a cucumber! I must get more, quickly!

Orion Designs said...

Who knew? The cucumber is my new hero!

Jan said...

Very interesting. And it doesn't mention pickles anywhere!

Unknown said...

Does anyone realize how many times the word "chemical" was used? I didn't know that cucumbers were noxious. Just kidding! Great article.

Theresa MacNaughton said...

Wow - there's so many uses for cucumbers! LOL Too bad they are not my favorite - but perhaps I can use them for all the non-eating purposes! :) Theresa

Cara Jane (surfingcat) said...

My daughter's favourite food is cucumber, she eats at least 1 a week on her own. If I can rescue some I am going to try some of those - they sound too good to be true but worth a try for sure!

alovelymadness said...

Cool. HAHAHA get it?

I am liking 5 and 6 very much.
Thank you.

Bellesanbeaus said...

Thank Nicole...didn't know that about the stainless steele sinks...sure have to try that one...mine are looking rather poorly these days!! lol Good thing I love cucumbers! Have a great day! Beth

Bobbi Ann said...

H Nicole, Wow...please tell your mom for me thank you for the great tips! I especially love the one about the pests in your garden!
Here's a few I know about the trusty cucumber:

Refreshing Cucumber Mask

Need to make your face feel good after a long day at work, try this facial recipe.
Ingredients:

1 Tbsp full-fat yogurt
1 Tbsp cucumber; chopped
1 Tbsp fresh parsley; chopped

Instructions:

Puree all ingredients in a blender. Apply to freshly cleaned face and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.
------------------
Cucumber Yogurt Mask

Cucumber always revives, and it does in this recipe too.
Ingredients:

1/2 cucumber
1 tablespoon yogurt

Instructions:

Puree cucumber and yogurt in a blender, apply to your face evenly. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water or soft wash cloth.

------------------
I hope you have a wonderful rest of your Sunday!
Hugs and happy beading...
Bobbi

GlorV1 said...

I love all those great ideas for cucumbers. I like the one for tightening the skin and for the bug repellant in the garden. What great ideas and I will definitely try a few. Thanks Nicole! Have a great week and hope you are feeling well. Take care.

Tristan Robin said...

... and I thought they were only good for cucumber yogurt soup with dill!

I'm going to try that mirror trick - though it seems that it's going to make the mirror kinda grungy. I'll let you know LOL