Benefits of Bottle Gourd

Bottle gourd, also known as lockee (hindi), bottle squash or calabash gourd, has recently been recognized worldwide for its many health benefits.

It can improve liver and nervous system function, and it can restore urinary, respiratory, and digestive tract health.

The bottle gourd has been praised by Baba Ramadev, a yoga guru. He touts the advantages and usefulness of the bottle gourd in his speeches and yoga sessions.

The gourd has a bitter taste that might deter young children, but older people often take it to maintain their health.

Bottle gourd can be consumed in cooked vegetables, juices, and sweets. With low fat and cholesterol content, it is a light, low-calorie addition to any diet. Its high fiber content is a health benefit that can reduce constipation. The bottle gourd is comprised of 96% water, which also makes it ideal for quenching thirst. At the same time, it also provides multiple vitamins and minerals including iron, sodium, potassium, and trace elements.

When the liver is unable to filter nutrients properly, the bottle gourd can help to restore health to the liver. As mentioned, it provides sodium, which is needed for balanced liver function. Its thirst-quenching and fatigue-fighting properties also lend to proper liver function.

In urinary tract health, bottle gourd helps to fight urinary tract infections. The alkaline in it counteracts acidity associated with urinary tract infections, and this alkalinity relieves pain when passing urine. The bottle gourd is even believed to break down calculus, or stones, in the urinary system.

The bottle gourd has many other varied health benefits. Premature baldness and graying are other issues for which the gourd is commonly used. The juice from the bottle gourd's leaves can prevent and cure balding and jaundice. The bottle gourd can relieve the symptoms of asthma and bronchitis, and it can also reduce headaches. Bottle gourd's benefits on the nervous system include treatment of such disorders as insanity and epilepsy.

If you haven't done so before, try out some bottle gourd to take advantage of its many health benefits. Its bitter flavor can be easily masked by mixing it into the foods you already eat. Bottle gourd is an excellent way to supplement your diet as well as fend off and treat disease. 




Reference: http://www.oohoi.com/natural%20remedy/everyday_food/bottle-gourd-benefits.htm

How to get rid of collar rings!

Ring around the collar or the stain inside the collar of your shirt is caused by the accumulation of body secretions like sweat and oil on your neck. Collar rings are oil-based stains that are very difficult to get rid of especially if you don’t use the right cleansing technique. Fortunately, there are several ways to help you wash collar rings off cheaply and quickly. Here’s how.

Materials needed:

• An old toothbrush
• Ammonia
• Bleach
• Degreaser
• Detergent soap
• Liquid dishwashing soap
• Pumice Stone
• Vinegar

Tips: Check the tag for specific instructions on how to wash the garment. Labels contain some information like the type of fabric of the shirt. This gives you an idea on what chemicals to avoid and what chemicals work best in dealing with stains.

Degreasers- These are effective cleansing agents that will help you wash off collar rings. However, before you remove stains using degreaser, it is highly advised to test a small discreet area of your shirt. Doing so will determine if it is going to dye-bleed your dark colored shirt. Dishwashing liquid is an effective collar ring removal as it cuts thru grease easily. Pour an ample amount of degreaser on the toothbrush and scrub the spotted area until you get rid of most of the stains. If you’re afraid that this might damage your shirt, you can rub the stain off with your fingers instead of brushing it with toothbrush.  Once the collar ring is removed, soak the shirt overnight on water with detergent soap and then wash it as usual.

Shampoo

- Shampoo is basically designed to clean dirt and oils from scalp and hair. You can also use it to remove collar rings by simply applying it directly on the stained area and brush it off using an old toothbrush. Let the solution stand for a few minutes and then do usual washing.

Lanolin Based Hand Cleaners

- Lanolin based hand cleaners- These cleansing agents are typically used to remove grease and oil from hands and arms. In the case of collar rings, simply apply and rub it into the stain. Let it stand for 15 minutes and then wash the shirt as usual. Repeat the method if it doesn’t work on the first attempt.

Ammonia and Detergent

- Ammonia and Detergent- Mix these two in a bottle and spray the mixture onto the collar ring. Scrub the stain firmly using an old toothbrush. If the stain is removed, do regular washing. You can also try using pumice stone, but just don’t use too much pressure while rubbing the stone in the direction of the thread grain.

For collar rings on white clothes, you can follow the procedures below. Note: The cleansing agents may cause your colored clothing to dye-bleed.

Vinegar solution

- Mix a solution of white vinegar and water. Take note that vinegar could cause colors to fade. Soak your white stained shirt in the solution and let it sit overnight. Wash and rinse the shirt with mild detergent soap and water the next day. You can also make use of lemon juice to remove collar rings.

Dishwashing detergent

- Form a pasty substance by mixing dishwashing detergent with warm water. Rub the pasty mixture on the collar ring and let it stand for a few minutes before washing and rinsing. The mixture of bleach and detergent soap is also a good collar ring cleanser.

Stains around the collar can show up prominently and they can definitely make you look untidy. The abovementioned procedures will help you get rid of those embarrassing rings if done correctly.

Reference:  http://www.howtopod.com/how-to-get-rid-of-ring-around-collar

If frozen meat has defrosted, can it be refrozen?

If frozen meat has defrosted, can it be refrozen?

It’s not recommended, unless the meat is cooked first.

The reasons for this are:

• There can be microbial risk (a disease-causing bacterium)as a result of refreezing. This can be avoided by cooking the meat before refreezing. 

• The quality of the meat is affected. Freezing creates ice crystals within the structure of the meat (as meat contains a high percentage of water). These tiny ice crystals rupture the fibre of the meat, which causes the meat to loose a little of this water when defrosted. If repeated freezing occurs the meat will be very dry and unpleasant to eat. 

Freezer storage times for fresh beef and lamb

Sausages:  1-2 months
Mince:  2-3 months
Meats strips:  2-3 months
Diced meat:  2-3 months
Thin steaks (minute):  2-3 months
Steaks:  3-4 months
Roasts (boned and rolled):  4-6 months
Roasts (bone in):  4-6 months
Corned beef (fresh):  4-6 months
Vacuum packed meat (unopened):  4-6 months

The temperature of your fridge and freezer is important. Regularly check that both the fridge and freezer operate at these temperatures. 

• Fridge temperature: 4ºC to 5ºC
• Freezer temperature: -15ºC to -18ºC

http://www.themainmeal.com.au/TipTechniques/Essentials/How-to-freeze-and-defrost-meat/How+to+freeze+and+defrost+meat.htm