Car Cleaning Hacks

Hi Folks,

I thought today I would talk about "cleaning the car". If you are like me you have to clean your car yourself!! So, while on my phone playing around I found these hacks that I will share with you. I have to clean my car this weekend and will put a few of these tips to use!

1.  Apply Vaseline to Interior of car for a brilliant shine.   Old-fashioned petroleum jelly can be applied to the interior and dashboard of a vehicle to create a glossy finish. It is much cheaper than Armor All and just as effective.
2.   Use Charcoal to absorb foul orders.  Among other uses, charcoal is adept at absorbing odors. To rid vehicles of stubborn smells that cannot be covered, place a few pieces of charcoal under the seat.
3.  Make cheap car wash solution with everyday ingredients.  Mix a one-quarter spoonful of baking soda and a one-quarter spoonful of liquid detergent into a bucket of water for an effective, inexpensive car wash solution.
4.  Clean air vents.  Get rid of unsightly dust accumulation on the slats of the car’s air vents by using an old toothbrush, a paintbrush, or a can of compressed air.
5.  Keep leather upholstery fresh with vinegar and linseed oil.  Wiping down leather seats regularly with a solution of equal parts linseed oil and vinegar will keep the upholstery clean, moisturized, and free from cracks.
6.  Use a squeegee to remove pet hair.  Pet hair can be tough to remove from cloth upholstery. Lightly spray seats with water and rub with a rubber squeegee to remove hair quickly.
7.  Remove grease and oil stains with cornstarch.  Grease and oil can be removed from leather and cloth upholstery by applying cornstarch to the affected area. Let it sit for ten minutes, and the starch will soak up the stain.
8.  Remove baked-on stains with mayonnaise. Hard-to-remove stains can be lifted easily with the application of a dollop of mayonnaise. Let it sit for five to ten minutes and then wipe off with a clean rag.
9.  Use vinegar to boost cleaning solution.  The addition of a few tablespoons of vinegar to any cleaning solution will boost its power immensely. It is safe for use on windows and vinyl upholstery.
10. De -Ice stuck doors and locks with hand sanitizer.  The high alcohol content of hand sanitizer will quickly melt ice from stuck doors and locks in the winter. The gel solution is easier to use in direct applications than liquid alcohol.
11.  Use wet dryer sheets to remove bug stains.  Old, dried-up bugs can be difficult to remove from the car’s body with soap and water alone. Wet a dryer sheet and scrub the affected area to remove these bug stains.
12. Use rubbing alcohol to clean wipers blades.  Residue on windshield wiper blades can cause streaks or even ineffective wiping. Dip a ball of cotton in rubbing alcohol and rub away all residue to eliminate streaks.
13. Wash car with baby shampoo to remove stains. Caked-on stains caused by mud, grease, or bird filth can be quickly removed by pouring baby shampoo onto a clean wet rag and rubbing the stain in a circular motion.
14. Use lanolin-based hair conditioner for a glossy finish. Save time and money on wax finishes by applying lanolin-based hair conditioner to a freshly washed car. It is faster than waxing and buffing and equally effective.
15. Fill windshield reservoir with Vodka solution.  Prepare a homemade solution of three cups of cheap vodka, four cups of water, and two tablespoons of liquid detergent and pour in windshield wiper reservoir for a streak-free finish.
16. Use toothpaste to clean cloudy headlights.  Headlight cleaning kits are effective but can be expensive Use regular toothpaste, let it sit, and buff it off to clear up cloudiness quickly and cheaply.
17. Protect vinyl surfaces with lemon juice and olive oil. Vinyl upholstery and hard surfaces are susceptible to unsightly cracking if they are not protected. Use a solution of lemon juice and olive oil to keep them shiny and safe from cracks.
18. Use bleach to get shining black tires.  Tire-cleaning products are costly. Use a solution of everyday detergent and bleach mixed into warm water to bring back the shine.
19. Use olive oil to keep upholstery supple and like new. After washing dirt and grime off of leather seats with warm, soapy water, rub a small amount of olive oil into the upholstery to keep it from drying out and cracking.
20. Use kerosene for a cheap glossy finish.  Another alternative to time-consuming and costly wax finishes is the use of kerosene. Use a solution of kerosene and water and wipe the car dry for a brilliant shine.

Well, I hope these have been of some help to you the next time you clean your car.

Rambling thoughts:
I hope the pollen count goes down around here. It has been 11.2 lately!!

Oil Cleansing Method

This is a natural cleansing method I have been researching and it is called the Oil Cleansing Method or "OCM". This is mixing oils together and applying on your face to cleanse it.

What Oils Are Best for Oil Cleansing?

Castor oil.

Regardless of your skin type,this is one oil you will probably want. Castor oil is gives you the most cleansing, dissolving bang for your buck. It’s also highly antibacterial in nature.It can also be drying. So depending on your skin type, you’ll either use more or less castor oil proportionally to the other oils.

Good Oil Cleansing Varieties

·         Jojoba (all skin types, but very desirable for acne-prone skin)

·    Sweet almond (all skin types, especially oily)

·    Grapeseed (all skin types, especially oily)

·    Avocado (dry and aging skin)

·    Sunflower Seed (all skin types)

·    Olive (all skin types)

·    Apricot Kernel (dry, aging, and normal skin)

·    Argan (all skin types, especially aging skin … very pricey)

·    Tamanu (all skin types … very pricey)

The Oil-Cleansing Ratio

When you first start out with OCM, It’s best to think in ratios of thirds. You can measure these thirds out ahead of time and prepare a whole bottle full of oil. Or, you can do what I do and just eyeball it each time you use the method.

It might be better to use this on a “wash-by-wash” basis before you go mixing a whole bottle of oil together, just in case you want to change up the ratios if you notice your face is becoming too dry or too oily.

Here’s the rule of oil-cleansing thirds (remember, castor oil is important here):

·         Oily skin: Use 2/3 castor oil to 1/3 carrier oil. (Or measure out 2 tsp castor oil and 1 tsp carrier oil.)

·     Normal skin: Use equal parts castor oil and carrier oil. (Measuring out 1-1/2 tsp castor oil and 1-1/2 tsp carrier oil.)

·     Dry skin: Use 1/3 castor oil and 2/3 carrier oil. (Again, 2 tsp carrier oil and 1 tsp castor oil.)

These ratios are NOT set in stone, but they’re a great jumping off point. You can just eyeball it in the palm of my hand and go from there.

Oil Cleansing in 3 Easy Steps

1.   Prepare. Either mix your oils together ahead of time, or have the bottles ready. Set a clean washcloth beside the sink. 

2.   Cleanse. Starting with a dirty face (no need to pre-clean here, even if you’re wearing makeup), rinse your face lightly with the warm, running water. Pour the oil in the palm of your hand and then apply gently all over your face. Massage firmly, but gently, always moving upwards. Massage for 2 minutes, and then let the oil sit on your face for 30 more seconds or more.

3.   Rinse. Adjust the water from faucet until it’s cool enough to apply to your skin, but warm enough to soften the oil (it’s probably going to be hotter than the water you usually rinse your face with). Dunk the washcloth under the hot/warm water until it’s completely soaked. Wring out washcloth a little. Apply the washcloth to your face and hold it there for 10-15 seconds. Slowly begin to wipe off. Rinse your washcloth and repeat until you’ve wiped all the oil off your skin.

Rambling Thoughts:

 I am very tired of Sweet Gum Ball Trees !!!!

I am going to a 50's sock hop (dance party) tonight. Can't wait to see all the 50's attire there.

Hope you found this post helpful, 

See Ya

Varicose Veins

I don't know about anybody else but, the older I get the more varicose veins I get. My job involves a lot of standing and being on my feet for long periods of time. I would love to have them removed but, that is too expensive for me.

I have done a little research and come up with some DIY methods that I plan on trying. I do wear support hose and have decided to try compression stockings!!!

Here are some ideas that I have found.

Recipe 1:

Ingredients:

-          ½ cup of Aloe Vera

-          -Apple cider vinegar

-          -1/2 cup of chopped carrots

Preparation:

In a blender, mix the chopped carrots and the  Aloe Vera in a blender, and during the process of blending, pour some apple cider vinegar. Blend until the mixture is smooth, homogeneous and creamy.

Use:

Apply the miraculous creamy mixture on your legs, and put your feet up for half and hour, afterwards, rinse it off with cold water, repeat the treatment several times daily in order to obtain quick results.

To help your blood circulation, you should regularly take short walks.

(I am sorry I didn't write down where I got this information)

 From Dr. Ashe:

For varicose veins use Cyprus essential oil, which helps increase circulation of the area. He recommends doing a mix of cryprus oil with witch hazel daily, typically about 5 drops each and rub on affected area. Do this about 2-3 times a day.

Next exercising by doing weight  training or burst training on a regular basic. Exercise helps enhance and strengthen cell structure. Of course any type of exercise helps.

Wear compression socks. You can do this especially while exercising.  This will help if you have them on such areas such as your calves and leg muscles,

In terms of diet, consume more antioxidant rich foods. Taking bilberry in supplement form and take about 500 to 1000 milligrams daily. Other berries are great as well such as blueberries contain resveratrol and bioflavonoids which really help in healing those areas and strengthening the connective tissues.

Essential Oils good for varicose veins:

Essential oils such as clary sage, cedarwood, cypress, frankincense, geranium, ginger, juniper, lemon, myrrh, neroli, peppermint, rose, rosemary and yarrow can be very helpful in restoring good circulation to the areas with varicose veins.

Conclusion;
I hope this is helpful to someone. I know it won't make them go away. I would at least like to minimize mine a lot!

Rambling Thoughts.....
I helped cut and bag dumpling noodles today at my local American Legend. It felt good and fun to help their cause.
I need to do yard work....but instead doing this post!

Til  later.......ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND ....See Ya.

One Exercise That Is More Powerful Than 1,000 Sit Ups: 60 Seconds A Day ...

Hey Folks:

  I thought that I would change things up today! I have been to work out in my local college therapy pool. It is 91 degrees at all times!!! I sometimes go to the gym there also. When I am very tired from work I go to the pool. That warm water is so relaxing. I do a lot of exercises on my own in there. I would like to go to the regular swimming pool next to it but,....... I just like that warm water!!

Tonight I am sharing  a video on YouTube that might be helpful. I subscribed to this so that I can get other videos from this person. You can do the same if you like it. This video talks about doing the plank. It is a very good exercise to flatten your stomach as the video shows. Wow.... I might be strutting  my stuff in no time at all. Lol....... just want to tighten up ☺






Well what did you think? Do you think you will try it? I am gonna give it a try.


Rambling Thoughts:
I must admit that I ate a chocolate Ding Dong when I got home!

Until later...See Ya!

Dry Brushing

Hi,
Hope everyone had a good weekend. I hope that everybody has enjoyed my blogs. I just love to share things I find on the internet.Feel free to follow and leave comments( I hope my settings are so everyone can leave a comment.
My topic for tonight is: Dry Brushing your body.
This technique is a natural and proven way to improve the overall appearance of your skin.

What you will need:
   A natural long handled  bristle brush. Do not use a synthetic brush. Synthetic fibers can cause small scratches on the surface of you skin.

The benefits of dry skin brushing:

• Exfoliates dead skin cells, which can leave your skin looking dull. 
• Improves circulation and brings blood flow to your skin.
• Eliminates clogged pores and your skin is able to absorb more nutrients.
• Helps with ingrown hairs and razor burn
• It makes your skin incredibly soft!

 How to dry brush your skin:

You don't need to do this more than once a day and it is best to do it first thing in the morning. ( I have to do mine at night I don't have time in the morning!)

• Always dry brush your skin when you are completely nude.
• Start at your feet and work in long upward strokes towards your heart.( You never want to brush away from your heart because this puts extra pressure on the valves and lymph vessels within the veins.)
• Be gentle and brush lightly where the sin is thin ( like the breasts) and use a little more pressure where skin is thicker.
• Brush upwards on the back and downward strokes from the neck.
• Brush your tummy in a circular motion.
• Hop in the shower immediatley after to rinse off dead skin.
• Follow up with a moisturizing moisturizing oil such as almond, olive, grapeseed or coconut oil.

 And there you have it. Keep in mind that if you only do this once you will not reap the benefits. It is best to do this at least 3-4 times a week consistently to see all the benefits.

Ramblings thoughts:

I hate sweet gum ball trees! I spent all day raking and burning those things. I wish they were good for something!

In the past I have dipped them in paint and put them in a decorative glass container. ( you can only paint so many of those dang things!!!!!

I wonder if I bagged them and put them for sale on eBay if anyone would buy them? Oh well......

Vitamin C Serum

Hi,
I'm back with another post. This one will be on DIY Vitamin C Serum. Vitamin C is considered around the World as a anti aging Superstar! Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. I buy L Ascorbic Acid Powder. It is the key to the production of collagen, a protein that aids in the growth of cells and blood vessels and gives skin its firmness and strength [ source: WebMD]. Vitamin C helps your skin repair itself. [ source: Milton Hershey Medical Center].

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that slows the rate of free-radical damage--free radicals are unstable molecules that damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. Research show that ascorbic acid not only neutralizes free radicals , but also reverses DNA damage [source: University of Leicester].

Research suggests that vitamin C may also reduce sunburn caused by exposure to ultraviolet B radiation and prevent consequences of long-term sun exposure, which can lead to sun cancer. [source: University of Maryland Medical Center, Bouchez]  Now folks don't think you can lay out in the sun safely because you use this. Be responsible !!!

HERE ARE SERUM  RECIPES TO CONSIDER;

1 tsp Vitamin C powder ( L ascorbic powder) from most health food stores or online.
1 tsp vegetable glycerin , bought mine at Wall Mart.
Dark colored glass bottle, got mine from health food store. ( can use empty serum bottle also)
Direction:
    In a small bowl mix Vitamin C powder and vegetable oil.
    Make sure they are completely dissolved ( or it will be grainy)
    Carefully pour serum into your glass bottle.
    Apply 3-4 drops onto freshly cleansed skin and gently massage in until fully absorbed.
    Let dry and then apply moisturizer preferably with sunscreen.
    Keep in cool dry place.

Next recipe:
1/4 tsp L Ascorbic  Acid Powder
1 tsp Glycerin (this can be adjusted if too sticky)
2-drops Vitamin E Oil or pierce a capsule to squeeze the oil out
1 tsp Distilled Water
Measuring spoon
Stirring spoon
Dark bottle (I use blue with dropper from health food store)
Directions:
   Mix together well
   Pour into dark bottle
   Apply 2 or 4 drops to freshly cleansed skin.
   Let dry on face and then apply moisturizer preferably with sunscreen.
   Keep in cool dry place (there might be too much moisture from showers to keep in bathroom cabinet)
Optional:
After trying this, add few drops Argan Oil, or Licorice Extract to help fade sun spots.
This is can be fun, don't stress over it. It is definitely healthier than store bought serums.


YOUR SKIN WILL LOVE YOU FOR IT!!!


My rambling thoughts:

• Danced to a great band Saturday night. I think the soles of my shoes were smoking!
• Got my hair trimmed.
• Had coffee with friends tonight.
• Need to win the lottery so I don't have to work for a living!

Until later....see ya!  ☺

Essential Oils

Hi,
Welcome to my blog! I would like to put things of interest such as beauty information, home tips and anything I think would be of interest to you.  I love to watch beauty, and DIY on YouTube. I plan to post some of the information on this blog. I hope you enjoy!


 Essential Oils

Ingredient Number One – Your “Base” or “Carrier” Oil

In all actuality, you might want to just buy a base oil to begin with and test it with your face. See if your skin loves the base oil you choose, and then you can build on that. And, in even further actuality, just one ingredient may be all you ever want.

Your base oil is going to be the main ingredient in your facial oil blend, so choose well.

Here are some base oils you could choose from:

Argan Oil (great for dry, aging,oily,normal, or acne-prone skin)

JojobaOil (dry,aging, oily, normal, or acne-prone skin)

Apricot Kernel Oil (great for any skin type, burt especially good for normal, dry and aging skin)

Sweet Almond Oil (an all-round great facial oil, but it takes a bit longer to sink in than others.

Grapeseed Oil (good for normal, oily, or acne-prone skin)

Avocado Oil (great for dry and aging skin)

Hemp Seed Oil (great for any skin type, also very light)

Your base oil should be at least 2/3 of your facial mixture.

Ingredient Number Two – Extra Nourishing Bonus Oils

Here are some nourishing oils to choose from:

Rosehip Seed Oil (very regenerating, this oil is known for it's firming and anti-aging abilities- good for dry, aging and normal skin)

Borage Oil ( crazy high in oleic acids, good for most skin types, but especially oily and acneic skin)

Evening Primrose Oil (acne,aging, normal skin, can be taken internally to help with acne)

Neem Oil ( very antimicrobial and healing, it is a stellar choice for acne and oily skin.)
Emu Oil ( emollient like you wouldn't believe, it is protective and nourishing for dry or aging skin.)

Ingredient Number Three – Add Your Skin’s Favorite Essential Oil

There are alot of essential oils to choose from! Here are just afew.

Myrrh Oil ( balances the hydration of the skin, and helps to remove toxins from skin tissue. Great for skin repair!!!!
Neroli (stimulating properties and helps with broken capillaries. A mature skin superstar oil !!!
Carrot Seed Oil (Combination skin)
Sandalwood Oil (good for oily skin
Tea Tree Oil (good for acne)

Creating Your Custom Homemade Facial Oil

This is where the fun starts. You get to experiment with what type of blend works best for your skin, but here’s the BEST place to start.

We’re going to assume you’re using a 1-oz bottle (for essential oil purposes), but if you use a smaller bottle, be sure to adjust your essential oil additions downward as necessary.

1.      Fill your small bottle just under 2/3 of the way with your base oil

2.      Add your “bonus nourishing” oil until the bottle is just about full (unless you’re using carrot seed oil, in which case just put in  a few drops)

3.      Add ONLY 4-7 drops of essential oil.  Cap and shake well after each drop, and you can gauge, very roughly, just how much essential oil you’ll need. 

And that’s it!

Keep your facial oil out of the sunlight, and it should be good for 8-12 months.

That's all for today.... Next post will be DIY Vitamin C Serum