Fun Facts about Vinegar

Vinegar is amazing, astounding, and in some cases just plain fun. We hope you enjoy some of the interesting tidbits we’ve gathered about this versatile product.For information on the world’s largest marketer and manufacturer of vinegar click here

Timeless

• Vinegar has been used for 10,000 years. It just might be the world's oldest ingredient!
• The main uses for white distilled vinegar are cooking/food preparation and cleaning/disinfecting.

World Renowned

• The International Vinegar Museum is in Roslyn, South Dakota.
• The International Vinegar Festival is held every June in Roslyn, South Dakota.

The Pride of the South

• Consumers in the South buy and use more white distilled vinegar than in any other region of the country.

There she blows!

• Adding vinegar to baking soda produces a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide. This combination is often used to make a do-it-yourself erupting volcano.

It’s magic…

• Pearls melt in white distilled vinegar.
• An egg softens in white distilled vinegar because the acetic acid dissolves the eggshell.
• Immersing a chicken bone in vinegar for 24 hours will make it rubbery.

A Breath of Fresh Air

• An open dish of white distilled vinegar will help remove paint smells from a room.

Secret ingredient

• Salad dressings, sauces, marinades, ketchup, mustard, and pickles are all made with white distilled vinegar.

From the Garden

• Vegetable vinegars are made with potato, cucumber, beet root, and tomato.
• Herb vinegars include thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary, sage, garlic and mint.
• The most popular herb-flavored vinegars use thyme and oregano.

A Fruity Twist

• Fruit vinegars include apple cider, coconut, fig, black currant, pear, prune, raisin, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, peach, pineapple, and cherry.
• Cider vinegar is made from apples and is the most popular vinegar used for cooking in the United States.
• Raisin vinegar is produced in Turkey and used in Middle Eastern cuisine.

Cheers!

• Germany, Austria and the Netherlands make vinegar from beer.

Sweet Treat

• Italy and France produce a rare honey vinegar.
• Cane vinegar, made from sugar cane juice, is popular in the Philippines.

Healthy Hints

• Soothe a sore throat with a mixture of apple cider vinegar, water and honey.
• Soak your feet in white distilled vinegar to stop athlete’s foot.
• Drink a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar to stop the hiccups.
• Pantyhose last longer when rinsed with water containing 1 tablespoon of white distilled vinegar.
• Massage white distilled vinegar into your scalp, rinse, then wash with regular shampoo and watch dandruff disappear.

The Cat’s Meow

• Spray white distilled vinegar on furniture to stop the cat from scratching it.

Vinegar uses for your Pets

Humans aren't the only ones that can enjoy the many uses for white distilled vinegar-even our four-legged friends can benefit.

Give your dog a gleaming coat by spraying or rubbing with a solution of 1 cup white distilled vinegar to 1 quart water. As a bonus, you save the cost of an expensive shine product used on show animals. (Works even on a horse!)

Keep a dog from scratching its ears by wiping them out regularly with a soft cloth dipped in undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Remove skunk odors by wiping down the animal with a 50-50 solution of white distilled vinegar and water, followed by a plain-water rinse. Repeat if necessary.

Discourage a cat from sitting on a certain windowsill or other surface, or from scratching upholstery, by spraying white distilled vinegar on the item. Test first on an unnoticeable area to be sure there won’t be a discoloration.

Keep a cat out of a garden area by placing paper, a cloth, or sponge there that has been soaked in white distilled vinegar.

Get rid of the deposits and water lines that form in aquariums and fish bowls by wiping them down with white distilled vinegar and following with a good rinse. For stubborn deposits, soak for several hours or overnight.

Keep the birdbath clean by scrubbing it often with undiluted white distilled vinegar. Rinse well.

Keep flies away from horses or other outdoor pets by spraying a mixture of water and white distilled vinegar around the area where the animals are.

Remove cat litter odor by pouring ½ inch of white distilled vinegar in the empty litter box. Let it stand for 20 minutes, swish it around, then rinse with cold water.

Kill fleas by adding a little white distilled vinegar to your dog or cat’s drinking water.

Stop a dog from barking with a spray bottle filled with equal amounts of water and white distilled vinegar. When the dog barks, spray the vinegar water in its direction but not in the face.

Remove pet odors. After cleaning, cover the area with baking soda. Let it stand overnight. The next day vacuum up the baking soda and wash the area with white distilled vinegar. Rinse and let dry.

Cats hate the smell of vinegar. If you have a cat that is marking its territory around your house, spray the area with white distilled vinegar then rinse with a hose.

Stop cats from fighting with each other with a spritz of a white distilled vinegar and water solution.

Prevent cats from eating your plants by spraying the leaves with a solution of white distilled vinegar and water.

Protect Your Pets from Poisonous Plants

 Maintain the health of dogs and cats by making sure they stay away from these poisonous blossoms.

Flowers	Health Effects on Dogs and Cats
Azaleas and rhododendrons	Vomiting, diarrhea, leg paralysis, coma, heart failure
Daylilies	Kidney failure in cats
Geraniums	Vomiting, depression, dermatitis
Hydrangeas	Vomiting, depression, diarrhea

Source: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Eight Ways to Ease into a Natural Home

This post was written by Desiring Virtue’s monthly contributor, Katie Drumm.

It seems to me that there is a lot of confusion and misinformation when it comes to household cleaners. Today I would like to share some facts that may turn you off from traditional cleaners, but also provide you with some wonderful, natural cleaning alternatives. The best part is that most of the things I use to clean my home I own anyway for cooking or first aid, so they are not only healthy, but frugal options!
Living naturally can be a bit overwhelming, so I’ve broken down the way I clean my home and listed 8 easy ways that you can ease into your own natural home.

1. Learn about the products you’re currently using.

First, before you scoff and decide that you’d rather just bleach your home to death, take a moment to think about what you’re exposing yourself and your family to. For example, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Association) requires employers to provide their employees who handle bleach with gloves and safety masks. Yet we’re encouraged to clean our child’s toys by submerging them in a bowl of bleach. WHAT!?!?! The more I learn about the harsh, horrible chemicals found in the normal, everyday, popular cleaning supplies that most of us have in our homes the more and more frustrated I get with these companies!

Some More Things to Know:

• There is no federal administration to regulate the safety of household cleaners. There’s no FDA for cleaning products! This means that manufacturers can pretty much put whatever they want in their cleaners–whatever gets the job done the cheapest. And they do.
• Manufacturers of cleaning supplies do not have to tell consumers (or anybody else, for that matter) what is in their cleaners–they’re protected by trademarks and copyrights.
• The Sanitation Department will not take your full containers of cleaners because they have classified them as hazardous materials.
• Bleach irritates eyes, skin, and the respiratory tract just from inhalation.
• When bleach is mixed with other cleaning agents, a poisonous gas is released that can cause bloody noses, neurological disorders, headaches and even death.
• Household bleach, whether it’s mixed with other agents or not, can cause pulmonary edema, vomiting, or coma if ingested.
• Chlorine, used in many household cleaners, was among the first chemicals used in chemical warfare during WWI.

There are many more things I could say about the dangers of bleach, chloride, lye, etc., but the point is simple: they are not safe. We have been told to rinse baby toys in bleach, to wipe our floors, kitchen counters, and bathtubs with bleach, to wash our whites with bleach, and our coloreds with color-safe bleach (whatever THAT really is), however, it simply isn’t safe. If scientists are required to practically put haz-mat suits on to handle these chemicals, why are we scrubbing our homes down with this stuff!?
If you are one of those ladies who just loves the smell of bleach, if that smell equals clean in your mind, can I encourage you to re-train your thinking? Remind yourself that that wonderful-bleachy-clean smell carries very real risks to your family.
I used to bleach my tile floors, my entire bathroom, and our white clothing. When I discovered the truth about household cleaners it was devastating: 1) that I was going to have to figure something else out, and 2) that I had been unintentionally hurting my family for so long!
Well, never fear: it’s not your fault that you didn’t know the dangers behind what you were using and you’re about to learn about natural cleaners you can use to replace the nasty chemicals! (and it’s going to be SO MUCH CHEAPER, TOO!)

2. Get rid of the toxic stuff.

To be clear, that’s probably most of what you own. It was for me, anyway. Anything with bleach, chlorine, or lye is no good. If you’re feeling really crazy you can get rid of anything with any chemicals in it, which really will be all of it.

3. Fall in love with Vinegar.

I use a simple vinegar spray as my general household/anti-bacterial cleaner and my tile/linoleum/hardwood floor cleaner. I am in love with vinegar and have re-trained my nose to smell vinegar and think, “Clean!” (instead of bleach).
Four tablespoons of white vinegar to 3 cups of water in a spray bottle will take care of most of your cleaning needs. I have yet to find something on my counters or floors that vinegar couldn’t get up. I love it!
As a floor cleaner, I use the O-Cedar ProMist Microfiber Spray Mop. It allows you to use whichever cleaning solution you’d like and comes with a washable, reusable pad. I fill it up with my vinegar solution and it works perfectly! It doesn’t make the floor sticky and it dries really fast.

4. Embrace Hydrogen Peroxide.

For those really rough stains, Hydrogen peroxide always does the trick. I use it to clean my windows, mirrors, toilet, and bathtub. You can buy a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in the first aid section of your drug or grocery store. Replace the cap with a spray bottle head so you can use it as a spray. Keep the liquid in the dark bottle, though, so it keeps its effectiveness.
The first time you use it on your windows or mirrors you’re going to think, “Oh, no! This isn’t going to work!” Because it’s natural and doesn’t have a ton of chemicals, it doesn’t wipe off as perfectly as you might hope. No worries–give it 30 seconds and your windows or mirrors will be streak-free and sparkling!

5. Make Baking Soda your best friend.

Baking soda is basically good for everything. I store it in an aluminum salt/pepper shaker and use it to help the hydrogen peroxide on my toilet and tub.
If the scum is really bad and hydrogen peroxide just isn’t cutting it, after cleaning initially with hydrogen peroxide, I sprinkle some baking soda in the toilet bowl, let it sit for a moment, and then scrub with my toilet brush.
In the shower, after spraying with hydrogen peroxide, I sprinkle baking soda, leave for a few moments, and then scrub with a Scotch Brite Scour Pad.
Since I started using natural cleaning supplies, I’ve never had to use anything stronger than hydrogen peroxide and baking soda on my toilet or bathtub.

6. Keep a bottle of Rubbing Alcohol handy.

This discovery has changed the way I feel about my carpets. I really don’t like spots on my carpet, and so I was really excited when a friend suggested trying rubbing alcohol. It works!!! (even on pet stains!) Simply pour enough alcohol right out of the bottle to cover the stain and rub it into the carpet. It dries quickly as you’re rubbing and the stain just sort of disappears!

7. Get fruity with your Dusting

I am not a fan of dusting. That’s why I was so excited when I came across this dusting/polishing recipe. It really shines up my wood furniture and (although I think I might be making this up—>) it seems to keep it dust-free for longer.
One cup olive oil & 1/2 cup lemon juice. I keep mine in a glass cruet with a spout and a stopper. Before applying to wood, with the stopper in place, I lightly shake the jar so that the oil and lemon juice mix as much as possible. Then I pour out a tiny amount onto an old rag and wipe down the furniture. A very small amount will go a very long way! Then you’ll want to wipe the furniture down with a part of the rag that you didn’t pour the mixture onto to try and pick up excess oil. This works great and keeps my furniture looking beautiful for quite a while. Also, it smells wonderfully clean!

8. Finally get your Stainless Steel Appliances sparkling!

I’ve never found a commercial cleaner that worked better than olive oil at cleaning my stainless steel appliances. Simply use with a soft cloth for getting smudges off your appliances!
And that’s it! That’s everything that I use to clean my home. Actually, switching to natural cleaning products is so easy, that this isn’t so much “Easing into” a Natural Home–this is “Easily Plunging into a Natural Home!”
I love using natural products because I don’t want to put my (or my family’s) health in jeopardy and I LOVE how these natural products really keep my home clean. Also, since I use almost all of these items for cooking, I save a ton of money each month NOT having to buy separate cleaning products!

Natural Cleaning Solutions I Use:

• Vinegar Spray: 4 tsp. vinegar & 3 cups water in a spray bottle
• Hydrogen peroxide: original bottle with a spray bottle nozzle
• Baking soda: in an aluminum salt or pepper shaker
• Rubbing Alcohol: kept in the bottle it comes in
• Olive Oil & Lemon Juice polish: 1 cup olive oil & 1/2 cup lemon juice in a glass cruet with a spout & stopper
• Olive Oil: Just kept in the jar it comes in (stored in my pantry)

25 Alternative Uses for Olive Oil

By: ChrisjobJun 13, 2007Nutritionists will continue to tout olive oil for its high content of healthful, monounsaturated fats, like oleic acid, and polyphenols. The fruit oil practically propelled the entire Western world in antiquity, and is mentioned in nearly every sacred text this side of the Tigris and Euphrates. As a cooking fat, it’s high up on the heart-smart list…which works out, ‘cause it tastes darn good.

(As tip, Consumer Reports has rated Goya brand extra virgin olive oil [from Spain] as the best general purpose olive oil, and as their best buy. I whole-healthy-heartedly concur.)

Olive oil also has plenty of uses around your home, outside of the sauté pan. There’s no need to waste your expensive Greek or Spanish Extra Virgin for these tasks, just grab a bottle of inexpensive, domestic olive oil for around-the-house use. You can cut down on excess oil by investing in a refillable spray can, such as the Misto.

1. Shave. Olive oil can provide a safe and natural lubricant for a close shave. Rub in an extra teaspoon after washing your body or face once finished.
2. Wood Furniture Polish. Wipe with a teaspoon of olive oil and a soft rag. Add a bit of vinegar of citrus juice to bulk up the cleaning power, and add a fresh scent.
3. Fingernails. Use a bit of olive oil to moisturize cuticles, or mix oil and water and soak your hands before a manicure.
4. Lubricate Measuring Cups and Spoons. Rub or spray olive oil on your measuring tools for easy clean-up of sticky substances like honey, grain mustards, and sugar syrups,
5. Control hair frizz. Comb a bit of olive oil through dry hair to tame the frizz and flyaways on humid days or in the winter.
6. Free a stuck zipper. Use a cotton swab to apply olive oil to the teeth of a zipper, then gently ease the tab down.

7. Care for your kitty. Add a teaspoon of olive oil to your cat’s food to help prevent hairballs, and provide a shiny coat.
8. DIY Lip balm. Mix olive oil and melted beeswax in a 1:1 ratio, with an essential oil for fragrance, and say goodbye to dry and chapped lips.
9. Stop Snoring. Take a sip of olive oil before heading to bed. It might lubricate your throat muscles, and stop yourself, or your partner, from snoring.
10. Shine stainless steel and brass. Rub a bit of olive oil on a clean rag to prevent streaks, corrosion, and tarnish.

11. Exfoliate your face and hands. Rub your skin with olive oil, then scrub with sugar or coarse salt, and rinse.
12. As you bathe. Add a few tablespoons of olive oil to your running bath water. You’ll be amazed when you towel off.
13. Remove makeup. Dab a bit under your eyes, on your cheeks and forehead, then wipe with a damp cloth.
14. Cure an earache. Very carefully, use a cotton swab to apply olive oil to the outside ear cavity to help with earaches and excess wax.
15. Remove paint from your skin. Rub on olive oil onto messy hand and arms (or faces) and allow the oil to soak into the skin for five minutes, then rinse with soap and water.
16. Treat lice. Apply olive oil to your youngster’s hair, and leave on for at least 40 minutes. Shampoo twice, then apply a preventative.
17. Stop a throat tickle. Take a sip of olive oil to stop the itchy flicker that is making you cough.
18. Fix a squeaky door. Use a rag or cotton swab to apply olive oil to the top of a problematic hinge in your home or automobile.
19. Shoe polish. Rub down your shoes with just a spray of olive oil to maintain their shine.
20. Personal Lubricant. It works…
21. Soften your skin. Rub olive oil daily on notoriously dry areas, such as your feet or elbows, especially after a shower, shaving, or waxing.
22. Easy clean up of garden tools. Spritz some olive oil on your tools to cut down on dirt buildup. Read more here!
23. Condition leather. Rub olive oil into worn leather, such as a baseball glove, and let set for 30 minutes, then wipe away any excess.
24. As a hair tonic. Comb some olive oil through your hair for the vintage look of pomade without the build-up, or add a bit to wet hair for grungy, but clean, look.
25. Cure diaper rash. Gently wipe on olive oil to your baby’s bottom to help with the irritation of diaper rash.

Pet Tips

Asthma
If your dog or cat has asthma and if they are on the heavy side, time to put your pet on a diet! Yep, that extra weight is making it harder for your pet to breath. Ask your vet to suggest a good low fat pet food. Next, get a humidifier. This will help your pet to breath easier. If your kitty has asthma, don't use the clumping kitty litter. Make sure to use a dust-free litter instead.

Constipation
Got a constipated dog? Try this quick fix that Melissa C. from Denver, Co. sent in; "When your dog gets constipation you can give it 1-2 teaspoons of pumpkin, not the pie filling just the pure pumpkin. It will regulate their system. It works for me." Thanks Melissa!" Carol from PA writes; "For a constipated dog or cat, try mixing a tablespoon of coconut or olive oil into their food for a day or two. This should do the trick." I would like to add that mineral oil should not be given to your constipated pets! Here is yet another warning sent in by Debby: "I have done cat and kitten rescue for 5 years. I have learned that if the mineral oil is ingested into the lungs, it will be there for life and will cause problems. This can happen very easily in very young hand fed kittens, pups and all mammals." Thanks so much for the warning Debby!

Diarrhea
Fido got the runs? Try this great remedy that Candy from Ohio wanted to share with us; "Take one heaping teaspoon of carob powder and mix into your dogs food (1/2 teaspoon for a pup). This should do the job. If the diarrhea lasts for more than two days, get your pup to the vet." Thanks a bunch Candy! Sonja from Belvidere, Illinois writes; "I thought I would write you and give you a GREAT remedy for dog diarrhea. Canned 100 percent pumpkin works WONDERS. It is high fiber and really gets both DIARRHEA AND CONSTIPATION under control. The best part is it's all natural so you're not putting anything harmful into your dog. And no overdosing! So, based on dog size you would give a couple of spoonfuls to 1/3 can after the first lose movement, then several more spoonfuls for every loose movement after that." Thanks for the wonderful tip Sonja!

Doggy Breath
If doggy breath is a problem for your pet, just mix some parsley in with his food once a day. Works for people too! A lot of times plaque is the culprit in causing your pets yucky breath. Brush his teeth! Yep, pets should have their teeth brushed too! 

Ear Mites
Does your kitty have the dreaded ear mites? Here is a simple yet effective solution sent in by Wendy from merry old England; "Using an eye dropper, drop two drops of corn oil into your kitties ears. Massage the ear well (gently) then clean the ear with a cotton ball. This will suffocate the mites. Do this for three days" Thanks Wendy!

Hairballs
Ewe! Icky hairballs! To prevent them, just put a dollop (about 1/2 teaspoon.) of Vaseline onto your cats nose. Your kitty will lick it off making the hair pass through his system easily. Or you can try adding 1/2 teaspoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil to your kitties food.

Itchy Pooch
Does your pupster have an itch that he just won't let alone? Dab some apple cider vinegar onto the spot. That should take the itch away.

Ticks... Gross!
My favorite tip to remove a tick is to put a nice size dollop of Vaseline onto and around the tick. Let this set for about ten minutes. The tick will loosen his hold to get air. Just wipe him away with a tissue and squish (ewe!). The tweezer method is also a great way to remove those ticks. It is best to use a set of very teeny ended tweezers and grasp as close to the head and skin without actually mashing the belly which could cause him to regurgitate any disease the tick has. Gently pull downward. Don't force, if you have 'em by the jaws, the tick should come off easily. Caution: Do not use a hot needle or anything that will make the tick panic. The tick tends to regurgitate what it has injected back into the host. This can be as bad as leaving the head in. Any disease the tick carries can be transmitted to the host.

Urinary Tract Infections
You've heard that cranberry juice works for us humans right? Well this old time remedy also works for your pet. Just mix 1 to 2 ounces of cranberry juice into your pets food. This will boost the acidity of urine which will reduce bacteria and help relieve his discomfort.



Bath Tips
Place a rubber mat in your tub so your critter won't slip! Next put a piece of screen (cut a small section from an old screen door) or a tea strainer on top of your drain. This will prevent your pipes from clogging up! Collect all of you supplies (old towels, rinsing cup, shampoo, brush, camera) and place close to the tub. Run the bath with warm (not cold, not hot!) water. Trick your pet into following you into the bathroom with a treat. Now... shut the door tight and get ready for some fun! Brush your pets coat well before washing. If there are any burrs in the fur, try crushing them with a pair of pliers then brushing out. Or, you can add a bit of oil to the tangle, then work it out with your fingers. Also, for doggies only (kitties lick their fur too much for this one) try getting out those tangles with a bit of cream rinse. Once your pet is nice and clean, make sure you dry him well with a large soft bath towel. You will probably need quite a few! Now brush em' up, and open the bathroom door! By the time you change your wet clothes, someone would have left the door open and your little critter will be rolling around in the mud!

Stinky Critter
Add some lemon juice or vinegar to your pets rinse water. This will cut the soap scum along with eliminating odor. A great bath tip was sent in by Doug from Washington; "Add some baking soda to your pets rinse water after his bath. This will get rid of the stink and as a bonus, will give your pooch a soft and shiny coat." Thanks Doug!

Quick Bath for Short Hairs
Nancy in Connecticut writes; "It can be hard to bathe my short-haired dog in these New England winters. I don't want her to get chilled, so scheduling baths around walk times is hard. The solution? Disposable, pop-up baby wipes. She's clean, smells good, and the lotion eases her dry winter skin. We only do the rub down once a week or so. If they're safe for babies, they have to be safe for our doggie babies." Thanks for the great bath tip Nancy!

Run in with a Skunk!
Michael from Hartford, CT. writes; "I have tried everything, to remove the skunk smell from my dog. Pet stores sold me strong perfumes that masked the odor. Tomato juice turned my dog pink, but did nothing to remove the smell. Mixing Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking soda does what nothing else can. This mixture is only effective when first mixed. I actually coat the dog with baking soda and scrub in the peroxide." Thanks Michael! P.S. Don't forget to rinse! Some people swear that tomatoe juice really works. If it is a nice day, take your pet outside for this endeavor. If not, make sure that the area is well ventilated. Set 'em in the tub and bring on the tomato juice. You will need quite a few large cans of the stuff. Pore it on and rub into his fur. Try to keep the juice on for a few minutes before washing. Now you can wash you pet as usual. Add a bit of vinegar to the rinse water. Some say that for the last step, take 2 gallons of water and add two tablespoons of ammonia to it. Then rinse and rinse once again with clear water. Michaelene “Mikey” Taliano, from Cleveland, Ohio writes: "I was a Doubting Thomas, when one of the guys I worked with, told me about using liquid douche to remove that horrid smell when a pet has a run in with a skunk. I went ahead and bought a supply and the next time my dogs met up with the black and white “kitty”, I found out for my self that the liquid douche is terrific, works rapidly and even leaves a pleasant scent. This really works!" Thanks Mikey! I just had a friend tell me that douche is what her vet recommended also. So this must really work!!

Careful Now!
When bathing your pet, don't get any water into his ears! This could very well cause an infection. We sure don't want a big vet bill just because we were careless... do we?! Oh, and if your pup has dirty ears you can gently wash them with a soft cloth that has been dipped into a vinegar and water solution (1/2 water - 1/2 vinegar).



Precautions Against Pesky Fleas!
The month of March is the time to prepare for those annoying fleas. If you start off the month right, you can keep those fleas at bay. If you put a flea collar on your critter, do it now! Before the army of fleas attack. Start your dog on some yeast supplements. Sprinkle Brewers yeast on your kitties food. Brewers yeast makes your pets blood taste yucky to fleas.

Flea Proof Dog House
Sprinkle salt all around your dog house to keep fleas at bay. Don't forget to sprinkle the salt into all of the crevices of your dogs home. Then place a bed of fresh pine needles on the floor of the house. Cover with his favorite blankie and your good to go! Or try this great pet tip sent in by Cynthia Hanson; "To keep fleas out of you dog's house, surround the house (and underneath) with cedar chips. Fleas hate the smell of the cedar and stay away." Thanks for the critter tip Cynthia!

Fleas Hate Salt!
Besides protecting your dog house with a sprinkling of salt, try washing your pet with salt water. That is sure to kill those pesky fleas! Add some salt to your vacuum bag and vacuum often during flea season. This will kill the fleas that are trapped in the bag. Don't forget to vacuum the couches and chairs.

Cats & Fleas
A good remedy to keep fleas off of your cat is this simple solution: Slice a whole lemon very thin (peel 'n all) and add to a pint of water. Heat this mixture right until the boiling point. Let sit overnight. In the morning gently rub the mixture into your cats fur and skin. Just dampen the fur don't drench it! Do this once a month. This is a natural flea killer! You can also use this every day for skin problems involving fleas. Sprinkle a small amount of Brewers yeast onto your kitties food. Fleas hate yeast! Also, avoid flea powders containing pyrethrins. Although considered safe, the cats will lick it off when grooming and will be ingested. It is so much safer for your cat if you use natural flea remedies. Don't forget to wash your feline's bedding and all area rugs often (the fleas will drown!). Vacuuming frequently is a must! Sprinkle some Rosemary or Eucalyptus leaves under your cats bedding (powdered Rosemary works in a pinch).

Dogs & Fleas
Start giving your dog Brewers yeast supplements in March. Or, just sprinkle the yeast into his food. You can even rub some Brewers yeast right onto his coat (a double whammy for those nasty fleas!). Sprinkle some Rosemary or Eucalyptus leaves under your dogs bedding (powdered Rosemary works in a pinch).

Flea Proof Your House!
Here is a homemade flea trap that won't cost you a dime. Take an old cake or pie pan and fill with water. Add a tablespoon of dish detergent. Place the pan under a nightlight. If you have a green bulb, use it in the nightlight (green works even better!). In the evening the fleas will jump into the pan and fleas can't swim!

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FYI: A flea can jump 150 times its own length!!



Furniture
Feeling like your pet isn't so precious after finding chew marks on your new coffee table? Try dabbing a bit of clove oil in the wood. The bitter taste and scent of the oil will keep 'em away! A good way to keep your cat off of the your tables is to put strips of double faced tape on them. Cats totally hate to put their paws on something sticky. After a few days you can remove the tape. Careful on wood tables with finishes though! Want your cat to stay off of your chairs? Just put some plastic on the chairs (cats hate plastic too!) until they learn that chairs are for people.

Housebreak Your Puppy
Feeling like your pet isn't so precious after finding chew marks on your new coffee table? Try dabbing a bit of clove oil in the wood. The bitter taste and scent of the oil will keep 'em away!Hang a bell by the back door. Each time that you take your puppy out for a "pee", ring the bell. As your pup gets older he will ring the bell himself to let you know that he's gotta go!

Pet Dishes
Keep your pet's dishes from sliding around by putting them on top of a rubber mat. A super way to keep ants out of your pets dishes? Just put his dish in a cake or pie pan of water.

Bad Kitty!
If you cat tends to think that you are a food item, when he takes his next bite, just say "No!" (don't smack him) and walk away from him. Totally ignore him! Sounds easy, but it really works for most felines. Here is a good way to train your cat not to do something (getting on tables, etc.). Keep a spray bottle of water handy. When you see your cat doing something that he shouldn't be doing... give 'em a squirt of water in the face. Man, they really hate that!

Dog Digging Holes?
Stop your dog from digging that "dogone" hole by putting cayenne pepper in the hole. Gives them a weird feeling in their tootsies. He won't be digging that hole any more.

Pet Dishes
Keep your pet's dishes from sliding around by putting them on top of a rubber mat. A super way to keep ants out of your pets dishes? Just put his dish in a cake or pie pan of water.

Pet Accidents
A New York Pet Lover writes; "This formula works by neutralizing the acid in pet urine and killing the bacteria. If you do not know where the urine is, get a black light bulb (most inexpensive) for an existing lamp or hand held black light (available at pet stores for $20 or so. OUCH!!). In a dark room with only the black light on, the urine will glow! Here are the ingredients to make the urine stain remover solution; 1 16 oz. bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide, 1 Tbsp. of Baking Soda, 1 Teas. of liquid dish detergent (regular or antibacterial). Mix all ingredients into a plastic or glass bowl (do not use metal). Stir with a plastic spoon (not metal!) until completely dissolved. Place in a plastic squirt bottle. Let the solution set for an hour before using (this is important!) for the best results ever! Test the solution on a small, hidden part of your rug, carpet or furniture (non-color set fabrics such as Indian cotton rugs may fade). Completely saturate the urine stain and allow the solution to soak in. Do not blot. Do not scrub. Do not walk on the spot. Allow to air dry. Once dry, vacuum up any residue left by the baking soda. Gentle brushing with a towel or soft brush may help. This really works!" Thanks Pet Lover from NY! You are really swell for sharing this great tip with us! Check below for more pet accident tips!

Pet Accidents II
Mindy from England writes; "Cats of either sex seem to love to urinate on comforters and duvets (dogs too!). Even though you wash it they go and do it again! The reason that they repeat this awful habit is because they can still smell the urine. My tip is to include a large bottle of malt vinegar into the main wash. After washing you won't be able to smell the vinegar but your pet will and it will put them off. I use this method with all cat attacked duvets that come into the laundry where I work and they very rarely come back (not good for business really hehe). This method will also work on any area where cats or dogs tend to urinate such as carpets." Thanks Mindy! This is a gem of a tip! Kristen from Mt. Pleasant, SC writes; "When my male cat urinated on my carpet, it was almost impossible to get that smell out! Nothing over the counter would work, and regular deodorizers were of no help either. I found that if I took a regular spray bottle and added Original Listerine, and sprayed it on the spot a couple times a day for 2 days, it was gone.....and it never returned. No one would ever know there had been a problem!" Thanks Kristen!



Chocolate!
Never give chocolate to your pet! Chocolate is pure poison to our furry friends! Feeding this sweet treat for humans to your cat or dog could be fatal. Please pass this warning on to your children. Lori from Topeka writes, "Here is a very handy tip that may save your dog's life. One Christmas our sheltie got into a whole 5 lb box of chocolates. We called the vet (Dr Robert Johnson, DVM Paw Prints Animal Hospital) and he told us to put about a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide on the back of the dog's tongue. Do this outside or somewhere that will be easy to clean up the vomit. (The fizzy of the peroxide makes them vomit) Sometimes it takes more than a teaspoon to get the dog to vomit. Give them a teaspoon, wait about 15 minutes and if it doesn't work, give them another teaspoon of peroxide." Thanks for sharing Lori!

Mineral Oil
NEVER give your pet Mineral oil! It is made from petroleum. It suffocates the skin and should never be put on the skin OR ingested. If the mineral oil is ingested into the lungs, it will be there for life and will cause problems. This can happen very easily in very young hand fed kittens, pups and all mammals.

Macadamia Nuts
Linda from Cape Fair, MO writes; "My sister almost lost her dog due to macadamia nuts. He had gotten into some bird food which contained the nuts and became very ill, her vet said that the nuts cause bloat in dogs and it can be fatal." Thanks so much for sharing Linda!

Garlic
Garlic and it's relatives, onions, leeks shallots and chives are all bad for dogs and cats. They contain an ingredient called thiosulphate which causes hemolytic anemia. The symptoms include bloody vomiting and/or diarrhea. It is a nasty painful death and I would never recommend feeding such things to dogs especially considering there is no scientific evidence that they help with things like flea control. If you have a flea problem, Frontline is much safer. This little known fact was sent in by Sean from GA. Thanks so much for enlightening us Sean!

Medicine
If your pet has a tummy ache or is just plain sick, never give them human medicine!

Got Milk?
Don't feed your cat cows milk. It will give your cat a case of the runs! Kathleen from Kingston, Georgia writes; "Just wanted to share that you can give kitties either half and half or canned evaporated milk without problem. Neither of them contain lactose which is what gives kitties the runs. Either choice is far more economical than the "kitty milk" now sold in the pet food aisles." Thanks for sharing Kathleen!

Driveway De-icer
All driveway de-icers are toxic to your pets feet! The salt or chemicals in these ice melters may burn their little feet or cause a fungus. They may even lick their toes and get sores in their mouths. So... wash your pet's feet when they come in after a jaunt in the snow!

Grapes & Raisins
Dr. Alexis Gullett from Ohio writes; "Another little known toxin to dogs and cats is actually grapes and of course, raisins. It was only discovered/decided a couple of years ago that they can actually cause anemia in these animals. Of course, some dogs will eat grapes every day and never have a problem, but it's impossible to tell which animals are the most sensitive to grapes and raisins, and so it is better not to feed them any at all." Thanks for your contribution Dr. Gullett!

Cars & Trucks
Don't leave your pet unattended in your vehicle for over 15 minutes. When you do, make sure to open the window a bit to let in fresh air. Don't let your pet ride in the back of a truck in the winter months. If you have a metal truck bed, their feet can actually freeze to the bed!



1 1/4 cups grated Cheddar cheese at room temp.
1 1/2 cups of buckwheat, rice, or rye flour
1/4 pound softened corn oil margarine
milk

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Add enough milk to form the dough into a ball. Cover and chill for 1/2 hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On a floured board roll the dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut with bone shaped cookie cutters. No bone shapes? Use your creativity and cut different shapes by hand. Place on a un-greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 min. or until firm and slightly brown. Makes 2 - 3 dozen biscuits (depending on the size). If you want to be fancy, brush a beaten egg onto the biscuits before baking for a nice glossy finish.



1 1/2 cups cooked, boned and skinned chicken or turkey
1 large egg
2 tablespoons chicken broth
1/2 cup of buckwheat, rice, or rye flour
1 cup cornmeal
In a food processor or blender, mix chicken, egg & broth until you get a smooth consistency. Scrape out into a bowl & add the cornmeal and flour. Stir until moist. Cover & put into the fridge for about 2 hours until firm. Roll out onto a floured board. Roll the dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 1/2 inch shapes (triangles, squares or circles). I use a lid from a Tabasco bottle myself. Arrange on a greased baking sheets so that the sides do not touch. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until the edges are golden. Remove from oven and give the treats a stir. Let the treats cool in the pans. Put in an air tight container and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Or you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Makes 3 cups.