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February 2013

Unusual Uses For Salt

SaltEcosalon.com is a great site for all sorts of useful information. Here they offer some interesting uses for salt. Who knew? Here are 20 unusual and surprising household, beauty and health uses for salt, from cleaning the chimney to brightening your skin. Learn more with this book Salt: A World History


Drip-proof candles - Don’t you hate it when candles drip down as they burn, making a mess that’s practically impossible to clean? Prevent this from happening by soaking new candles in a strong salt solution for 2-3 hours.

Clean smelly food spills - A little cinnamon in a pinch of salt will make dripped-on messes in the oven easier to clean, and prevent them from stinking up the house. Just sprinkle the mixture onto the drip soon after it occurs, while the oven is still hot. Once it has cooled, brush away the salt and the mess will come with it.

Test egg freshness - Got a questionable egg? Add two teaspoons of salt to a cup of water, and drop in the egg. If it’s fresh, it will float; if it’s past its prime it will sink right to the bottom.

Sanitize sponges - Used sponges harbor a shudder-inducing variety of bacteria. To restore them and kill some of those germs, suds them up, rinse them thoroughly and then soak them in cold, heavily salted water for an hour or two.

Kill poison ivy - Nobody likes poison ivy, the irritating vine that has ruined many an otherwise pleasant outdoor experience. Three pounds of salt mixed with a gallon of soapy water, applied to the leaves and stems of poison ivy with a sprayer, will kill this tenacious pest of a plant.

Extend broom life - Natural fiber brooms can last a lot longer if you use this easy trick: soak them in hot, salty water before their first use.

Soothe a bee sting - Remove the stinger, wet the sting and immediately shake on a paste of salt and water. Let it dry, and it will reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

Remove soot from chimney - A handful of salt thrown onto the flames in your fireplace will not only produce pretty, vivid yellow flames, it will help loosen soot in the chimney, preventing chimney fires and improving air flow.

Relief for canker sores - A saltwater gargle will take the bite out of a toothache and ease the pain of canker sores and sore throats. Dissolve two teaspoons of salt in 1/4 cup of warm water and swish it around in your mouth for at least 20 seconds, gargling if you have a sore throat. It will likely burn at first, but it works.

Keep clothes from freezing on the line - Add a little salt to the rinse water when washing a load of laundry to keep the clothes from freezing stiff on the clothesline. Soaking the clothesline in salt water will also prevent clothes from sticking to it in cold weather.

Restore artificial flowers - Who has time to clean every individual petal of a bouquet of silk or nylon flowers? There’s an easier way. Just toss the flowers in a gallon-sized zip-lock bag along with about a cup of salt. Shake the bag well, and the salt will whisk away the dust and debris.

Keep milk fresh - Sour milk is the worst, especially if you don’t realize it’s gone bad until you’ve already poured it into your cake batter or coffee mug. Keep it fresh longer by adding a pinch of salt to the carton, pinching the spout closed and gently shaking to mix.

Make coffee less bitter - Over-brewed coffee that has taken on a bitter taste can be much improved with a tiny pinch of salt, which will also enhance the flavor.

Remove blood, wine and perspiration stains - Blot up spilled wine and then pour salt on top to absorb what’s left, pulling as much of it out of the fabric as possible. Blood-stained linens can be restored in cold saltwater followed by a wash in hot, soapy water. To remove perspiration stains from clothing, dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of hot water and sponge it on.

Prevent sliced fruit from turning brown - Dip sliced apples, pears and other fruits susceptible to browning in lightly salted water to preserve their fresh look. If your apple slices have withered, salt water will also perk them up.

Keep windows frost-free - To keep frost from accumulating on the windows in your home and your vehicle, dip a sponge in salty water and run it over the inside and outside of the glass, then rub dry with a soft cloth.

Deodorize shoes - Suck the stink-worsening moisture out of canvas shoes by sprinkling a little salt inside them and then wiping it out. Don’t use this trick on leather or synthetic shoes, as it could dry them out too much and cause them to deteriorate.

Reduce eye puffiness - So you caught a late-night airing of The Notebook on cable and went through a box of tissues – nobody needs to know. Obliterate the evidence by mixing a pinch of salt in a little hot water and applying it to puffy, swollen areas around your eyes with a cotton pad. The salt will help draw out the moisture and tighten the skin.

Give your skin a glow - Massage a mixture of salt and olive oil into your skin in circular motions, leave it on for a few minutes and then wash it off. The massage increases circulation to your skin, the olive oil moisturizes and the salt buffs away dead skin cells.

Brighten yellowed linens - Dingy whites can be brought back to their crisp, white best without the use of bleach. Boil cotton or linen items in a big pot of water with a few tablespoons of salt plus a few tablespoons of baking soda.


February and March 2013 Mercury Retrograde

Mercury retrograde2Felissa Rose shares her fascinating Mercury Retrograde article with us. Please contact her at E-MAIL: [email protected] URL: http:/www.accessnewage.com/felissa with any questions.

At 4:42 am EST on Saturday, February 23, 2013 EST Mercury will go retrograde at 19 degrees 51 minutes of Pisces. The retrograde ends on Sunday, March 17, 2013 at 4:04 pm EDT, when Mercury turns direct at 5 degrees 40 minutes of Pisces.


As the ruler of information Mercury is often interested in the facts, Pisces and its ruler Neptune likes to connects to a different dimension and is more involved with the non-material and intangible. At best this can be highly imaginative; conversely it can replace reality with illusion. During this period it’s easy to space out and be in a fog.


Retrograde energy is internalized and with Pisces being the sign of spirit, it’s a great time for internal exploration through meditation, contemplation and spiritual practices. Under Pisces creativity is fostered. Healing on many different levels can be accomplished through music and art.


It will be more difficult to deal with worldly matters. Mercury rules wires and circuits so it’s not the time to purchase things mechanical or technological. There are more breakdowns during Mercury retrograde periods, so if something has to be replaced make sure it has a generous warranty.


Pisces is a highly sensitive sign and Mercury rules the nervous system so try and relax and stay calm as this too shall pass. The feet are also ruled by Pisces, so avoid getting any kind of special footwear, especially if they are therapeutic. Good luck with wearing those five inch heels, even if you’re female.
During 2013 Mercury will be retrograde from June 26 to July 20, and October 21 to November 10.


Horoscope for Month of February 2013 and Week of January 28, 2013

Oprah winfreyLove is in the air! Collect your valentines from a range of shapes, sizes and colors. Jolly Jupiter in Gemini now redirects and casts a lucky and expansive light on everything we do. So what exactly will we do?

(Oprah Winfrey has Jupiter in Gemini)

 Never miss your horoscope again -- free sign up here. Here is my favorite book on astrology and a "must" for anyone interested in learning more: Secrets from a Stargazer's Notebook: Making Astrology Work for You and here's a guide to the best books available this month. This column is (c) 2012 THE STARRY EYE, LLC., All Rights Reserved. For Entertainment Purposes Only. Madam Lichtenstein is the author of the best selling astrology book “HerScopes ” now in its 8th printing and available as an eBook.


ARIES   (MARCH 21 - APRIL 20)
Aries not only have the gift of gab, they have the personal oil to set hearts on fire. Blend this combination of various charismas to meet your match. There is someone special  around every corner, it seems. But do you know exactly what and who you want? Indecision can lead you into wasteful temptations. Or maybe that is the plan...?

TAURUS   (APRIL 21 - MAY 21)
Before you empty your wallet for just another pretty face, examine the merchandise and see if it fits in your wardrobe. Taureans are very generous and can even expand their fortunes now. But try to hold on to more of your gotten gains through research and careful investment. Party with the bulls and bears .. and try to stick them with the bill.

GEMINI   (MAY 22 - JUNE 21)
This is your time to shine. Geminis don’t have any trouble meeting, greeting and streaking through some of the most exclusive gatherings. You capture hearts as well as minds and will be able to implement some long-delayed projects by persuading influentials to join in. Who knows where it will lead? They say it is an open field for the 2016 elections....

CANCER   (JUNE 22 - JULY 23)
Secret admirers make your love life more interesting (and complicated) than usual. Ready for a surprise? This week delivers it in dollops. So tune your radar and be sure that your valentines are carefully distributed only to worthy recipients. How will you know who is who and what is what? Use your intuition ... and deep dive google searches.

LEO   (JULY 24 - AUGUST 23)
Friends provide happy and lucky opportunities for all Leos who expand their outreach. You can never have too many friends so make an effort to join more groups and organizations throughout the next few weeks. Then stir up the masses with exciting social events designed to bring like minds together. Of course variety is the spice of life. How spicy do you want it?

VIRGO   (AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23)
Virgos get some lucky professional breaks this week. And these opportunities can play out either in advancing your career or deepening your commitment to one particular mentor. The most important thing is to maximize your advantage while the cosmic energy flows. Strategize and make a move. You are no longer a pawn so go for a checkmate.

LIBRA   (SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23)
Love finds you anywhere you travel. Don’t sit at home waiting for a knock on the door. Find an excuse to take some time out to expand your horizons - whether than means across the world or across the street. Just think “new”. Expect more than your usual amount of adoration and flirtation from unexpected, unusual or foreign folks. And be a bit of that yourself, Libra.

SCORPIO   (OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22)
The week brings many sensual valentines to your inbox. How will you handle the deluge? Be picky and discerning. Choose a few notable admirers from the pack and see if you can press the flesh in person. Passionate Scorpios will turn any quiet, boring encounter into a sizzly sensation. Or maybe that is because you are sitting on a radiator...?

SAGITTARIUS   (NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22)
Relationships heat up as the week becomes an opportune time to cement current partnerships. You are diplomatic and soothe any rough situation (unless partners like it rough..) For those seeking new connections, plug into the social circuit and see who you can shock. Before you know it there could be some new light shed on old issues. Let’s hope it is a rose colored  light.

CAPRICORN   (DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20)
Not only are you full of vim and vigor, you are ready to tackle any task no matter how large or small or detailed because the fates find ways to make any effort pay off in a big way. Good! Don’t let things pile up for tomorrow, Capricorn. The work that you can clear off your desk today will give you more time to relax later. If that is what you really want to do...

AQUARIUS   (JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19)
Fun is the most important thing to accomplish now, Aquarius. So let some of the more serious stuff stew on your back burner if possible. There is a world of wonder out there and it can take you to some of the most amazing experiences ever. Seek creative ways to inspire your life. Maybe that bathtub full of whipped cream is not such a bad idea.

PISCES   (FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20)
After a winter full of activity, it will be nice to relax and cocoon in familiar surroundings. Push your domestic agenda this week and resolve to make your home as inviting as possible. Pisces can reduce their stress and increase their mellowness. Share your good vibes with evenings filled with friends and family. Maybe they will even help you clean up?




Lucky Numbers for the Week of Janaury 25, 2013

Lottery ads tell us you only need a dollar and a dream. But it is also helpful to have a list of lucky numbers to help spur the good fortune ... or fortunes. So with that in mind, here are some lucky numbers that can be used in any helpful way. I gazed into a pool of water, Nostradamus-like, and contemplated the cosmos. Then I mixed the tarot cards and allowed the spirits to guide me to the cards that represent the lucky numbers for this week. Nothing is guaranteed but who knows ....?

I choose eight numbers because 8 is the number of wealth.

Here are the lucky numbers for the week of January 25-31, 2013:

15, 17, 26, 40, 45, 58, 59, 72

There are many ways to delve into your own consciousness to find luck and intuition. Try reading Dream Power/Improve Your Luck (Super Strength Series) and see if your dreams give you any clues and premonitions. Here's a guide to the best books available this month

Scent Sculptures and Christophe Laudamiel

Christophe LaudamielThe power of aroma, such as in aromatherapy extends into perfumes. But also art?

According to coolnews.com, Christophe Laudamiel is well-known for his work designing high-end fragrances for Ralph Lauren, Estee Lauder and Tom Ford and has also include designing scents inspired by a 1985 Patrick Suskind novel-turned-movie (trailer) "which included the stench of gutters in 18th century Paris."

Christophe was also involved in a "scent opera ... pairing an original musical score with a sequence of more than 20 scents delivered through an odor-releasing device." His latest venture "tests the commercial possibilities of scent art" via "seven scent sculptures on display" at Dillon Gallery in New York City. Among them is a scent called "Fear," in which "sniffers will encounter the sweet, musty, cold smell of a damp cave." Christophe achieved this through "metallic notes found in geranium and musty elements found in rhubarb and roots."

On the lighter side is "The Banana and the Monkey," which pairs the smell of "sweet, ripe banana ... with a hairy, sweaty, feral monkey odor." Christophe used amyl acetate for the banana and civet, "which smells vaguely fecal," among other elements. The sculptures are experienced in tents set up around the gallery, which isolate and concentrate the aromas. The commercial potential remains questionable, in part because of the challenges of displaying or advertising aromas (scratch 'n' sniff?). And then there's the price: Chrisophe's scent sculptures "range from $15,000 to "$20,000 depending on the complexity of the formula."

 


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