No Fluoridation Without Representation

I began learning about the damaging effects of sodium fluoride more than a decade ago, and I've been completely paranoid about forced water fluoridation ever since. But this isn't just some grassroots conspiracy theory anymore. The information just keeps on pouring in. As much as I want to tell you about all of the industry dominated government bureaucracy, I've decided to let you do your own research, although there will be some great links at the bottom of the page to help you get started. In the meantime, I'll summarize:

We are not talking about the kind of fluoride that occurs naturally within our earth.  We are talking about the sodium fluoride that is created as a by-product (like nuclear waste) in phosphate mining, by the fertilizer industry.  Decades ago, this waste was deemed extremely hazardous to the environment by various government agencies, and could no longer be buried, burned, or emptied into water ways. In the process of finding new ways to dispose of this highly toxic substance, "they" proposed that it could be neutralized by processing it through the human body, "they" spun a story to make us believe that it was actually good for us, and "they" began making money by selling it to America's municipal agencies (county and city governments).  "They" are the corporations and industry lobbyists that pull the string, and the indistinguishable government puppets that dance beneath them.

As of now, after many studies and tests by universities and laboratories worldwide, it is known that this fluoride is a dangerous neuro-toxin that is seriously detrimental to our health.  Most other nations around the world have discontinued their fluoridation programs, as well as a growing number of American cities and counties, but the U.S. as a whole, won't take that step.  Maybe it's because one of the side effects fluoride in the brain is the "dumbing down" of society. That's right... dumbing down: reduced intelligence, reduced logic skills, and reduced intuition. It makes the population complacent, and easier to manipulate and control.  Makes you go "Hmmm", doesn't it?          

The FDA suggests that there are is a safe and acceptable level of sodium fluoride that we can be exposed to without risk. But how can we measure and moderate our own exposure?  We can't.  If it's in your community water supply, then it's in everything that contains that water.  Your coffee, iced tea, Kool-Aid. When you cook with fluoridated water, it contaminates your food... your macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, and Ramen noodles. It can't be filtered out, and boiling your water only concentrates the fluoride.  Oh, and it's also absorbed through the skin when you bathe.

On top of all that fluoride that you're ingesting and absorbing from the water alone, consider all of the fluoridated products that we knowingly buy on a regular basis, and then all of the other sneaky little ways the "industry" slips it into your life, like in processed foods, and other health and beauty products.  How can you or the government measure your intake of sodium fluoride?

Obviously, we can't eliminate fluoride altogether, (not yet), but we can reduce our exposure, and that brings me to the point of my post.. safe and natural dental care.   

Coconut oil has emerged as one of the leading natural home remedy items in the world, right up there on the list with honey, and certain herbs and spices. It has natural antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-fungal properties. When mixed with baking soda, a natural cleanser and whitener, it makes a very effective toothpaste. Hydrogen Peroxide is another great additive, although I suggest careful use of this antiseptic tool, as I once had a very bad personal experience. 

let me share with you a recipe for homemade toothpaste that contains no fluoride, or other damaging chemicals, that will not only improve your health, but save a little money in the process. It's extremely simple.

Homemade Toothpaste

(1) Combine equal parts of coconut oil and baking soda in a bowl and mix together thoroughly.

(2) Add purified (non-fluoridated) water, a little at a time, to thin the mixture into a smooth paste. Continue this until you achieve a texture that is to your personal liking.

(3) If you would like to add peroxide, which I don't, you can use it as your thinning agent, with or without the water.

(4) Approximately ten drops of your favorite essential oil or extract of mint, or cinnamon, or even a touch of vanilla. A combination of vanilla and mint is something I personally find pleasing. Mix it well!

Now, some people, especially children tend to find this paste a tad too salty. And here is where you can play around with the flavors, or with the original mixture, until it's personally palatable.

Separate your mixture into small air tight containers. Everyone is going to be dipping their toothbrush into it, so make sure everyone gets their own personal container. Some people have even found a way to re-fill empty toothpaste tubes. I haven't figured that part out yet, with success that it, but it's certainly something you can try.

If you normally use a mouth rinse, may I suggest a mouth full of diluted apple cider vinegar? Many popular brands of mouth wash contain added fluoride, which is something we're trying to avoid. I have also used Tom's of Maine Wicked Fresh Mouthwash. It is all natural, non fluoridated and, well... yes, wicked fresh!

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Informative Articles on the Dangers of Forced Fluoridation

Do You Still Believe Fluoride Is Good For Our Teeth?

Toxic Fluoride Contaminates In Iceland Volcanic Ash Is Killing Animals

CDC Adjusts Fluoride Poisoning of America's Water Supply to a Lower Level

A New Life For Your Holiday Leftovers

There is indeed such a thing as "too much on your plate", and "too much too soon", and oddly enough, "too much information", but it might just be impossible to have too much turkey on your Thanksgiving table. In fact, I always make sure to buy a much larger bird than my family has need for, and here's why:

Every year, during the holiday season, my food budget gets stretched so thin, you can see through it!

First, there's the appetizers; usually a raw vegetable platter consisting of broccoli, carrots, celery, aside a plate of pepperoni, pickles, and cheese. Then there's veggie accessories; blue cheese and ranch dressings, and maybe a french onion dip.

The main course, of course, is the big bird, and it's typical American Norman Rockwell side dishes. Sometimes they are traditional, and sometimes gently tweaked to make it our own. We might even serve a baked pasta because.. well... lasagna.

Then we finish it off with an variety of desserts; various fruit pies, cookies, and chocolate (in any one of it's glorious forms).

Let's talk about beverages;  cold sweetened green tea, home brewed, and an assortment of colas that I oddly enjoy, even though I firmly protest the consuming of colas. If we are having guests, we would also include something alcoholic that can be mixed with said colas. Best of all, a choice of french roasted coffee or a cup of Folgers Gourmet Caramel Drizzle (it's what regular coffee hopes to be when it goes to Heaven).

Man, it's a good thing I bought that extra large turkey, because we're going to be eating leftovers all the next week, or longer, and isn't that what this post is all about?

Most of the leftovers are devoured the following day through simple leftover dinner plates and a few, of what has come to be known as, Ross's Thanksgiving Sandwiches. After that, things get interesting.

What To Do With All That Leftover Turkey

First pick the living hell out of that turkey carcass. That reminds me... you should remind me to tell you a funny story about a turkey carcass. Turn that sucker upside down and inside out and remove every edible chunk of meat that there is. It's a good idea to separate the turkey meat into zipper lock bags or plastic storage containers, according to the meals you tend to make during the week, and pop them in the freezer for when you need them.

Now, boil the living hell out of that turkey carcass. Boil it until the bones are bare. You can even break a few in half and let the marrow boil right into your broth. Strain out all of the "stuff" and let your broth sit and cool. In the meantime, sort through all that "stuff" and separate any good usable meat from the bones, fat, and gristle. When your broth is completely cool, pour it into a covered container, and put it into the fridge. After a few hours, you can go back into it and scoop off much of the fat that has congealed on the top. Save the broth in the freezer.

BBQ Turkey Sandwiches : Thaw one or two of your zipper lock bags of frozen turkey. Simmer it in a pan of your favorite barbecue sauce. Add a little bit of water to make it just slightly more fluid. Throw in some chopped onion and a squirt of pickle relish, and slowly simmer uncovered until it thickens. Serve on burger buns, or sub rolls! 

Turkey Soup : Simmer up that broth you make while boiling up your carcass, or your turkey's carcass rather. Season it up with garlic and onion powers, salt, pepper, sage (I use lots of sage!), rosemary, thyme, basil (I use lots of basil!), add one of your frozen zip lock bags of turkey (I don't even both to thaw it). Add your veggies. I usually toss in a medium sized bag of a frozen mix (carrots, corn, peas, and green beans). If you'd like, then a few minutes before you're ready to serve, you can add some rice or noodles.

Turkey Alfredo : Thaw out one of your zipper bags of frozen turkey. Warm it up in a skillet with a dash of oil. Add veggies. It can be a bag of frozen Chinese stir fry veggies, or your own fresh chopped carrots, broccoli, onion, and red pepper. Add some butter for more moisture, if necessary. Add a jar of your favorite Alfredo, or Parmesan sauce. Serve over, or tossed with thin spaghetti noodles, or fettuccine.

Turkey Salad Sandwiches : Thaw out a zipper bag of frozen turkey or two. I like to shred and chop mine in the processor (or blender). Then add mayo, chopped onion and celery, a squirt of pickle relish, and some seasonings (sage, salt, pepper, basil, parsley, garlic powder and such.

It's A Bit Chili Out There! - good thing we had a gift card!

Times have been tough lately, and we had just finished stretching a few dollars on some grocery items. And I do mean stretching. A few things that could be combined with a few staples already in the pantry, to create several evening meals for a family of five.

So how did we end up with a veritable smorgasbord of delicacies from Chili's restaurant for dinner tonight? With one simple ingredient: a leftover balance on an old gift card.

Months ago, during Employee Appreciation Week, Hubsy had received two Chili's gift cards from management. We saved them for a few months to be able to treat ourselves to an anniversary dinner. We used one whole card, and a teensy bit of the other.

Now lately, as you know, we've had it kinda rough. Although my Darling Hubsy wrestled with his intestinal symptoms, we were actually able to wrangle some good news out of this day, and wanted to celebrate. (The GI Specialist agreed to do Hubsy's Colonoscopy, even though we couldn't afford the $800 fee, up front, that he was originally asking.

Taking the gift card, that held a balance of $43.10... we ordered 2 of Chili's "Two for Twenty" meal deals. Each meal comes with an appetizer plate, and two entrees, with sides. We ordered online and picked it up an hour later. Of course, with tax, there was a tiny overage.  Are you ready for this?

The Appetizers:

• Fried Cheese Sticks
• Spiced Panko Onion Rings

The Meals:

• Half Rack of BBQ Ribs
• Crispy Chicken Crispers (chicken strips)
• Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadillas
• Chicken and Pork Carnitas Fajitas

The Sides:

• Loaded Mashed Potatoes 
• Homestyle Fries
• Flavored Rice

We brought it home and spread it all out on the kitchen counters, and all five of us lined up for the buffet that costs us a total of FIVE DOLLARS out of pocket!

God Bless Us... Everyone!

Biscuit Recipe For More Than Just Biscuits

I found this biscuit recipe online, and used it for... well, biscuits... with homemade sausage gravy, and it was great.  But then I thought... "Hey, I'll bet I can use this biscuit dough for all sorts of things."  And what do you know,  I was right!

• Loosely mix together 2 cups of loose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• Now use a fork to cut in 1/2 cup of shortening.
• When there is no more loose powdery flour, and it mix has the consistency of course bread crumbs, then stir in 3/4 cups of milk.
• Combine it with the fork until the mix turns to a sticky dough.
• With floured hands, pull the dough away from the bowl, and slightly knead together into a ball. Lightly flour the outside of the dough ball, until no longer sticky.
• Roll out, and cut into circles.
• Bake at 450 for ten minutes.

The thickness of the dough depends on what you're going to use it for. These biscuits really don't rise, so may I suggest cutting them a tad bigger than 1/4 inch thick. But they are slightly "dense", so roll it thinner if you're going to... say...

Have These... with ham & cheese!

Take your favorite lunch meat and cheese, roll it up into... well, rolls... and bake them for about the same amount of time.

I also rolled up some shredded chicken, that was sauteed in barbecue sauce and sweet pickles.

Other Ideas:

• butter the dough after rolling it out, and spread a cinnamon sugar mixture over the top. Roll up and slice, (before or after baking) for cinnamon buns!
• Spread pasta or pizza sauce over the rolled dough, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Roll it up, baste it with garlic butter, then bake!
• Roll up some Sloppy Joe for a not so sloppy roll!
• Make a hot tuna roll!
• Roll up any of your favorite fruit pie mixture, and sprinkle with confection sugar after baking!

What To Do With Too Many Carrots!

I don't know what came over me when I saw that ten pound bag of carrots on sale for six bucks.  I do love a good deal, but I'm smart enough to walk away if it isn't practical.  I'd love to take advantage of all the advantages of buying in bulk, but with the limited storage space that I have at my disposal... whatever can't be used within a week and a half ends up down the disposal.

So, why was I so giddy, as I lugged that ten pound bag over to my grocery cart?  Maybe it was the idea of slipping some weight training into my day.  I would, after all, have to carry it out to the car, along with the other fifteen loaded plastic bags.  Then into the house, and lift it up onto the counter, and then over to the fridge.  Whew, I'm sweating already.  Just kidding... that's what husbands are for.

So, yesterday, I wrangled that bag out of the crisper ... how did we even get it in there?  It was like trying to pry Austin Powers' Fat Bastard out of a Volkswagen Beetle.  I mean, do you have any idea how much a single carrot weighs?  Now imagine ten pounds worth!  Since I was on my knees anyway, I said a little prayer that Bugs Bunny and Roger Rabbit would show up at my door, with the brims of their fedoras pulled down low, Tommy guns in hand, demanding a protection payment.  I ended up on Google learning how to freeze carrots.  Oh well... God works in mysterious ways.

Did you know that there's more to freezing carrots than just tossing them into the space between the ground beef, and the Hot Pockets?  Strap on your step counter, because there are steps.

Step 1:  Peel and cut the ends off of your carrots.

 

Step 2:  Chop them up however you like them.  I like the little circles.  Depending on the size of the carrot, you get little penny, nickel, and quarter sized pieces.  Some of my carrots were so big,  I had to stop chopping halfway through, or it would've been like eating half dollars.  I put those chunks aside for later.

Step 3:  Blanch them.  No, that doesn't have anything to do with The Golden Girls.  It means immerse them in some rapidly boiling water for no more than three minutes.  Then take them out and immerse them in some ice water to immediately stop the cooking process.  Then drain, and maybe even pat them down with some paper towels, just to remove a little excess water.

Step 4:  Pour them into some sort of storage container, like a ziplock freezer bag.  My zipper bags aren't freezer proof, so I wrapped them up in one of those Debbie Myer produce bags first, and then zipped them up.  Now they can be stored for up to six months.

So, what did I do with those huge carrots chunks that I set aside?  I cut them into sticks, and stored them in the fridge in several Glad food containers.  The kids like to take them in their lunch bags.  They also make good snacks in the evening.  It's healthier than all that microwave popcorn I typically munch on during Desperate Housewives.

Maybe I was channeling Bree Van de Kamp yesterday.  I wish I had her cookbook.  I still have about six pounds of carrots left in the crisper.  I wish that Barred Owl hadn't eaten that cute little bunny, that used to feed in my back yard last Spring.  I need him now.

Homemade Spice Mixes In Recycled Jars

You would think that my recycling bin is a theme park ride, the way the cans, bottles, and jars are lining up to get in.  So much so, that I'm thinking of installing velvet ropes on the kitchen counter.  Let them do the same cattle dance that we all do, while waiting for the next available seat on Thunder Mountain.

But while staring at the row of clean, empty glass jars the other day, I got an interesting idea.  Recycling isn't just about sending these things off to be broken down, and smelted back into usable glass products.  It is also about reusing items, in new and different ways.

So how about filling large glass containers, like mayonnaise and peanut butter jars, with ready made spice mixtures?  You might spend four dollars at the grocery store to get less than an ounce of a specifically designed spice combo.  While I can spend the same four bucks on dollar store spices, mix them up myself, and fill a sixteen ounce pickle jar.  The dollar store often stocks basil, oregano, chopped and powdered onion and garlic, cinnamon, red pepper, meat tenderizer, paprika, and bacon bits.  Not to mention salt, pepper, and bouillon.  They even have specialties like lemon pepper, and Italian mix.  When spices at the grocery store go on sale, or if a coupon becomes available, then gather up things like thyme, rosemary, sage, cumin, bay leaves, and others.  You can save a lot of money, by stepping over to the international aisle, and buying certain spices, by the bag, in their whole natural form.  You can chop up a twig of rosemary yourself, can't you?  If you're handy enough to grow your own herbs, you can save even more.

So, what to put in these jars?  That depends on what you cook the most.  My family is a big fan of Italian food.  In fact, my kids know nothing about Cool Hand Luke and Butch Cassidy, but they sure know Paul Newman makes spaghetti sauce.  So, the biggest jar I have will hold a  mix of garlic powder, salt, black pepper, parsley, basil, oregano, sun dried tomato, red pepper, and even a touch of sugar.  This is my sauce jar.  Ready to just be poured into a large can of unseasoned tomato sauce.

A good mix for seafood or chicken might consist of a store brand lemon pepper combo, tossed with red pepper, garlic, onion, parsley, and dried lemon peel.

Okay the rest is up to you.  What do use in your beef stew?  Your chicken soup?  What would you rub onto your steak as it sizzles on the grill?  How would you season a roasted chicken or turkey?

An added bonus to this idea is that a large jar of mixed spices, makes a nice gift for anyone who cooks, and that's just about everyone.  You can design your own label on the computer, print it out, and secure it to the front of the jar with a large strip of clear packing tape.  Attach a tag, with a list of the ingredients, with a piece of ribbon tied around the neck of the jar.  Viola, you're Martha Stewart!      

How To Make & What To Do With Breadcrumbs

Lately the park rangers in our area have been asking people to refrain from feeding the ducks and geese at the local lake. It seems that the abundance of potato chips and stale bread have interrupted the birds migration patterns. Where there's food is where they park themselves for the year. Of course, a steady and growing population of waterbirds in our area is affecting the health of the lake, which of course affects other plant and animal species.

So now, many of us are wondering what to do with that stale bread that sits in pantry. Nobody wants the last few slices in the bag, or that hockey puck we once called "hamburger bun". Well here are some ideas to keep it from going to waste. Who can afford to waste anything these days?

First, crumble your bread into pieces. Toast them on a baking sheet, in a 250 degree oven, for fifteen minutes. A little lobger if you've chopped your bread into larger chunks. Allow to cool, and store in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place. 

Veggie Topping

ingredients

2 C bread crumbs
1/2 C Parmesan cheese
4 TBS olive oil
2 TBS parsley
pinch of salt

instructions

Combine all ingredients together and mix well, until crumbs are evenly moistened by oil. Sprinkle over dish of lightly buttered broccoli, spinach, or other greens. Bake at 400 degrees for 10~15 minutes.

Chicken or Fish Coating

ingredients

2 C bread crumbs
4 TBS olive oil
3 TBS parsley
2 TBS thyme
grated zest of 1 lemon
pinch of salt

instructions

Combine all ingredients together and mix well, until crumbs are evenly moistened by oil. For best results, coat pieces with flour, dip into water or milk, then coat with bread crumb mixture. Bake or fry as you normally would.

Fruit Dessert Topping or Pie Crust

ingredients

1 C bread crumbs
1/2 C sugar
4 TBS butter
1/2 TBS cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg (optional)

instructions

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in crumbs and toast until golden, stirring frequently. Stir in remaining ingredients, and mix well. Use mixture to top baked apples, or other fruit, or spread into pan as a pie crust.

42 Uses For WD-40

an assortment of WD-40 products

Water Displacement Formula #40 was created in 1953 by the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Three technicians were on a mission to create a rust preventative solvent and de-greaser to protect missile parts. Obviously, the fortieth time was the charm! It was then sold, in bulk, to the Corvair Company for use on the sensitive parts of the Atlas missile. Today, WD-40 can be found nearly anywhere home improvement and maintenance products are sold! Don't you have a can? Well, maybe you should get one, or more. Listed below are the numerous uses for this incredible product. Remember, although it has a powerful odor, and should be used with proper ventilation, Ken East, one of the original founders, assures that there is nothing harmful in WD-40, as it is derived from mere fish oil!

1) Protects silver from tarnishing.

2) Removes road tar and grime from cars.

3) Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.

4) Gives floors that just waxed sheen without making it slippery.

5) Keeps flies off cows. (I wonder who tested this use?)

6) Restores and cleans chalkboards.

7) Removes lipstick stains from laundry. (saturate the stain, and then rewash)

8) Loosens stubborn zippers.

9) Untangles jewelry chains.

10) Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.

11) Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.

12) Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.

13) Removes tomato stains from clothing.

14) Keeps glass or plastic shower doors free of water spots.

15) Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.

16) Keeps scissors working smoothly.

17) Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes

18) Removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor!

19) Removes bug guts from your car, which can eat the paint away. (use on bumpers and grills too. Even works on Florida's most hated love bug)

20) Gives a children's swing set slide a shine for a super fast slide.

21) Lubricates gear shift on lawn mowers.

22) Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.

23) Lubricates the home window tracks, making windows easier to open.

24) Lubricates an umbrella stem making it easier to open and close.

25) Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.

26) Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.

27) Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.

28) Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.

29) Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.

30) Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.

31) Removes splattered grease on stove.

32) Keeps bathroom mirror, windows, or the car windshield, from fogging. (rub on until it vanishes)

33) Lubricates prosthetic limbs.

34) Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).

35) Removes all traces of duct tape, labels, and price tags.

36) Protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements. (not that this is useful to the average person)

37) Attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time.

38) Takes the sting away from fire ant bites immediately, and stops the itch.

39) Removes crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.

40) If you spray WD-40 on the distributor cap, it will displace the moisture, allowing the car to start.

41) It is good for soothing and healing burns.

42) Keeps ants from invading a picnic, by spraying the legs of the picnic table.

(Note: I do not guarantee the results of any of the preceding suggestions. I am merely the messenger, and will not be held responsible for a false claim.)

How To Dominate The Gas Pump

There are few things that we, as consumers, can do to get the most out of that pesky gas pump. Follow these tips, and save a little green.

Auto Maintenance

• Increasing air flow. A new study done by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory on behalf of the US Department of Energy shows that replacing your car's air filter under normal replacement conditions, will increase fuel efficiency by 2-6 percent. If the filter is severely clogged, then it can increase efficiency up to 14 percent. (Replacing the air filter on newer, fuel injected cars does not increase fuel efficiency, but does increase acceleration time by 6-11 percent).

• Check your tire pressure. Keeping your tires inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure is not only safer, but they last longer, and will increase your fuel efficiency by 3.3 percent. (The proper pressure is indicated in your owner's manual, on the inside of the drivers door jam, or on the inside the glove compartment door).

• Change your oil to the manufacturer's recommended grade will increase efficiency by 1-2 percent.

Driving Behavior

• Park the car. If you live near the places you'll be going to, then try walking or biking instead of driving. Who couldn't use a little more excercise and money? If your destination is farther away, look into public transportation. Try the train, or the bus. If that's out of the question, then see if there's someone you can share the ride with.

• Follow the speed limit. Optimal gas mileage rapidly decreases at speeds above 60mph. Also sudden rapid acceleration, and sudden stopping, along with speeding, will reduce your fuel efficiency by 33 percent on the highway, and five percent in town.

• Get the junk out of the trunk. Increased weight can reduce your mpg by 2 percent. So, remove heavy items that you don't need to carry on a daily basis, like sports equipment or tools. (This is relevant to smaller cars, more than larger ones).

• Avoid idling. An idle engine gets 0 mpg, so if you're going to be in a long standing situation, like behind a recent traffic accident, or waiting for your spouse to come out of the drug store, it's better to turn the engine off.

• Roll up the windows. (does anybody even have a hand crank anymore?) Put the windows up when driving at highway speeds, to reduce drag, and thus increase mpg.

• One Stop Shopping. If you have to run several errands in the day, can you possibly kill more than one bird with your car, so to speak? Try the Super Walmart, Super Target, or any other store where you can pick up groceries and other essential home care items, fill prescriptions, develop or alter photos, purchase home decor and clothing. Or perhaps stop at a local strip mall where you can park once, and walk to several retailers. It saves gas and time.

Filling Up

• Fill your tank in the morning, when the temperatures are cooler. Gasoline molecules expand in the heat, and you'll actually get less liquid in your tank, if you fill up in the hotter parts of the day.

• Don't let your tank run dry. Refill before you get down to a quarter tank. Sludge and debris can build up in the bottom of your gas tank, and begin to get pulled into the engine, clogging it up. Also, the agitation caused by the new gas spilling in can stir, up these deposits.

• Avoid the tanker truck. When you see the tanker truck at the filling station, drive right on by. Just like in your car's tank, the huge gas tanks at the station have sludge and debris settling on the bottom. As the tanker pours fresh gas into the holding tank, the deposits get stirred up, and will end up in your own tank! Let those tanks settle for a few hours before you make a purchase.

Use this site to find the station in your area that currently has the lowest price of gas...

http://gasbuddy.com/

resources for this information include:

1. http://www.fueleconomy.gov
2. "Effect of Intake Air Filter Condition on Vehicle Fuel Economy" by The Oak Ridge National Laboratory
3. numerous email forwards
4. Advice from gas station attendants

The Double Lives of Household Products

Even our household items are multitasking these days, and that's just what we need them to do. So dig around in your pantry, refrigerator, laundry closet, and medicine cabinet for items that will do double duty in other areas of the house.

Eliminate ear mites. All it takes is a few drops of Wesson Corn Oil in your cat's ear...massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.

Kill fleas instantly. Dawn Dish Washing Liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Good-bye fleas.

Wet Dog Odor. Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.

Headaches. Drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately-- without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional "pain relievers." (probably because headache is a symptom of dehydration.)

Burn Relief. Did you know that Colgate Toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns?

Stuffy Nose? Try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.

Achy Muscles From Flu. Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.

Sore Throat. Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria, and the honey coats and soothes.

Urinary Tract Infections. Just dissolve two tablets of Alka-Seltzer in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly-- even though the product was never been advertised for this use.

Skin Blemishes. Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Could work overnight.

Toenail Fungus. Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine Mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.

Splinter. Just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.

Boils. Cover a boil with Hunt's Tomato Paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothes the pain and brings the boil to a head.

Broken Blisters To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine, a powerful antiseptic.

Bruises Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.

Arthritis Pain. Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.