Beneficial Garden Companions

Apple Cider Vinegar Uses

Apple cider vinegar is my new obsession. I recently began taking apple cider vinegar shots a few times a day for a quick and effective energy burst. However, I've since discovered so many other useful ways to incorporate apple cider vinegar (ACV) into my daily routine.
It's effective for pretty much anything—your skin, your hair, your house, and even your pets can benefit from its qualities. Raw, organic, unfiltered and unpasteurized, apple cider vinegar is so much more than a salad dressing!
1. Apple cider vinegar can detoxify your home.
It's made from apple juice and is fermented to hard apple cider. It's then fermented a second time to become apple cider vinegar. By using ACV in lieu of other products, we instantly decrease the consumption of unnatural chemicals in our homes and daily lives.
2. It can make your hair shine.
Apple cider vinegar can be used as a rinse for your hair after shampooing, and will boost your hair's body and shine. I recommend recycling an old shampoo bottle, then filling it with 1/2 a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a cup of cold water. Pour the solution through your hair after shampooing several times a week for dramatic results.
3. Natural apple cider vinegar regulates the pH of your skin.
Dilute ACV with two parts water, and spread the concoction over your face with a cotton ball to replace your current toner. You can do this at night after washing, and in the morning before you apply your moisturizer. A dab of apple cider vinegar can also be left on the skin overnight to fade age spots or acne scars.
It's also a recommended agent for warts. For warts, soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar, then fasten the cotton ball over the wart with a Band-Aid overnight. The skin may swell some as it reacts with the solution. However, the wart will fall off. Once it falls off, the treatment should be continued for a few more days, to make sure the wart doesn't return.
4. It can remove stains from teeth.
Rub teeth directly with apple cider vinegar, and rinse with water.
5. It can soothe sunburnt skin.
Add a cup of apple cider vinegar to your bath, and soak for 10 minutes to eliminate discomfort from sunburn.
6. Apple cider vinegar can be used as a natural aftershave.
Fill a bottle with equal parts apple cider vinegar and water, and shake before applying to the face.
7. It's an all-natural massage treatment.
Rubbing apple cider vinegar on your hands and feet will give massage-like benefits and relief to tired hands and feet.
8. Apple cider vinegar can aid in weight loss.
For daily weight management, add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to 16 ounces of water. This concoction can be sipped throughout the day. Data shows some limited, yet significant, weight loss benefits from sustained daily intake of acetic acid (which is a main ingredient in apple cider vinegar).
In a 2009 study published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, it was found that subjects that consumed acetic acid for 12 weeks experienced significant declines in body weight, abdominal fat, waist circumference and triglycerides. Triglycerides contribute to the bad cholesterol that we want to avoid.
9. Apple cider vinegar will balance your entire inner body system.
The body constantly strives to achieve a state of equilibrium. Apple cider vinegar helps the body maintain a healthy alkaline pH level. Research shows that higher acid levels (lower pH level) leads to a lack of energy and higher incidences of infection. Hence, my desire to sip some a few times a day for a natural boost of energy.
10. It can help you detox.
As part of balancing the body's pH, apple cider vinegar creates an overall detoxification of the body. Research shows that it can help stimulate cardiovascular circulation and help detoxify the liver.
11. ACV is great for your lymphatic system.
This miracle vinegar helps to break up mucous throughout the body and cleanse the lymph nodes. Believe it or not, research suggests that apple cider vinegar can help with allergies because of its ability to reduce mucous and sinus congestion. When reducing the effects of allergies, it can also help stave off sinus infections and their related symptoms, such as sore throats and headaches.
12. It can help your body get rid of candida.
This vinegar is rich in natural enzymes that can help rid your body of candida—yeasts that are attributed to thrush in humans. Candida also is blamed for creating symptoms of fatigue, poor memory, sugar cravings, and yeast infections.
13. ACV can help you reduce heartburn.
Though it might seem like an oxymoron to treat stomach acid with an acid-containing vinegar, there is research suggesting that apple cider vinegar works by correcting low acid, hence reducing heartburn. Natural remedy experts say you should begin to feel relief very shortly after taking a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar followed by a glass of water. Note that apple cider vinegar will not give relief if you have an ulcer.
14. The use of apple cider vinegar is effective in repelling fleas on your pets.
One part vinegar and one part water can be sprayed on your pets fur and rubbed in generously to the skin. Saturate the entire coat, and continue every day for a few days to a week. Any flea infestation will surely be gone.
15. It's an all-natural room freshener.
Apple cider vinegar will clean your toilets and leave your bathroom smelling like apples! Just pour apple cider vinegar into the toilet, and allow it to sit overnight. It can also be used in dishwashers as a substitute for dish detergent. Mix 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup water, and you can use this solution to clean microwaves, kitchen surfaces, windows, glasses and mirrors, too.
As you can see, apple cider vinegar is a miracle product that cab be used in a multitude of ways. I highly recommend its use!

 

No- Bake Banana Split Cake

NO-BAKE BANANA SPLIT CAKE

INGREDIENTS:
For the Crust:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
½ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Cream Cheese Layer:
12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
¼ cup granulated sugar
8 ounces COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

For the Fruit & Toppings:
3 to 4 bananas, sliced
1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained well
16 ounces strawberries, hulled, and sliced
8 ounces COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
½ cup walnuts, chopped
Chocolate syrup
Maraschino cherries

DIRECTIONS:
1. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter, stirring until all of the crumbs are evenly moistened. Dump the crumbs into the prepared pan and press into an even layer. Refrigerate while you prepare the next layer.

3. In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the COOL WHIP until thoroughly combined. Spread the cream cheese mixture on top of the graham cracker crust.

4. Arrange the banana slices in a single layer on top of the cream cheese filling, top with an even layer of the crushed pineapple, and then an even layer of the sliced strawberries.

5. Cover with the COOL WHIP, smoothing the top. Sprinkle with the chopped walnuts, then drizzle with chocolate syrup and top with maraschino cherries. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

Broccoli Rice Cups

INGREDIENTS
1 10 – ounce thawed broccoli
1 cup chicken stock (low sodium)...
1 cup white rice (I would use brown rice to make it lower carb)
1/4 cup Ranch Dressing (low fat/low sodium)
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup grated cheese (any of your favorite light cheese)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS
Boil rice according to package instructions.
Once done, transfer cooked rice to a medium bowl and allow to cool for a minute.
Mix together all the ingredients, but only using 1/2 of the cheese.
Grease a 12 cup muffin tray and fill tray.
Top with the remaining cheese.
Bake in oven for 25 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden and crispy.

Butterfly Cake

Outdoor benches made of pallets

Elise Wiegand they have taken 6 double pallets...stacked them by 2...either nailed or screwed them
together...slide them together after they applied probably outdoor dark stain...then taken 3 double pallets apart...used the tops to nail for the backs of the bench stained them dark...taken a single pallet...attached wheels, which can be found at any hardware store, they come with instructions and inserts...got 4 inch thick foam and put outdoor material on them and wahhhhla, you have a decorative outdoor seating area...since this is on the edge of a deck...I would suggest takingand attaching the backs directly to the deck also so it doesn't have the ability to slide...almost looks like they cut probably pine to the with of the bottoms and skirted it...make sure you pre drill all your holes with smaller bit as to not crack out...and also put a couple screws or nails from pallets into decking on front....that's how I would and have done this almost exact design...have fun and be creative...
Outdoor furniture from pallet!
Link to tutorial here --> http://bit.ly/1koi1Rm

More #DIY projects --> www.HowToInstructions.org —

Homemade Cream Cheese Berry Cake with Lemon Icing

Homemade Cream Cheese Berry Cake with Lemon Icing. Made by me . Sooooo easy
 2 packages Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
8oz Cream Cheese
2 tbsp Brown Sugar...
1 tsp Vanilla
1/2 cup Strawberry Blackberry Preserves
Fresh Strawberries
Fresh or Frozen Blueberries
1 Lemon
Confectioners Sugar
1 egg

Lay out the crescent rolls and press seams together. Mix cream cheese with brown sugar and vanilla until soft. Spread inside crescent rolls. Then spread preserves on top. Sprinkle blueberries and strawberries on top. Pull edges of crescent rolls over. Egg wash pastry. Bake at 375 for 20 mins. In separate bowl mix juice and zest of a lemon with confectioners sugar until it becomes an icing. Garnish with strawberries