Many uses for baby powder

Detangle jewellery

Don’t be tempted to throw away any tangled jewellery.

Give them a quick sprinkle of baby powder and rub between your fingers and thumb to gently loosen any stubborn knots.

This little trick also works well on any shoelace knots.

Keep feet and shoes clean

Ballet shoes and pretty pumps may be fashionable and comfortable but we don’t need to tell you that wearing shoes without socks is a recipe for smelly feet.

Lightly sprinkle some baby powder in the insides of your shoes and rub into your feet, every morning. The powder will absorb any sweat during the day – keeping your feet fresh and your shoes tip-top.

Refresh your sheets

Most of us sweat whilst we sleep and, needless to say, more so during these balmy Summer nights. You may be inclined to wash your sheets more frequently but keep costs down by reaching for the baby powder instead.

Keep your sheets fresher for longer by dusting some baby powder between your bed sheets before and after you go to bed. The powder will soak up any moisture and the comforting scent will also help you nod off.

Keep ants at bay

If you spot any ants in your home, sprinkle baby powder into the area to keep them away – for free. Ants, according to experts, aren’t keen on the texture or scent of baby powder so will stay away from it.

It’s a great alternative to using harmful (and expensive!) ant repellents around children

Soak up spills and leaks

If your little one or pet has an accident on your carpet or rug then baby powder can help remove any lingering smells.

Wet the area, blot with kitchen roll then sprinkle baby powder on the area. Let it dry and hoover over.

Lift oil stains

When cooking with hot oil it’s common to get annoying splash backs on your clothes.

Lift any oil stains by sprinkling baby powder on both sides of the material. Lightly rub in and leave to soak in. Hand-wash and leave to air - the oil stain should have disappeared by the time it’s dry.

Sprinkle sandy skin

Next time you’re on a family day out by the sea remember to pop your baby powder in your beach bag. There’s nothing worse than kids – and partners – moaning about their sandy feet and toes.

So, for a quick and easy way to remove irritating grains, sprinkle baby powder on their sandy areas and get them to do a little shake. The sand will just drop off!

Silence creaky floor boards

A quick dusting of baby powder is a temporary yet free quick-fix for silencing those annoying squeaks and creeks in old floorboards.

The baby powder gets in the cracks and eliminates the friction causing the noise. Simply dust on and work into the cracks with an old paint brush.

Thanks For Reading

The World’s First Long-Hair Village Huangluo

Hair is very important to women, who generally use it to highlight their features, but for the women of the ethnic Yao people of Huangluo Village, China, hair is their most prized possession.

Located in the Longji Scenic Are of Gulin, China, Huangluo Village numbers around 82 households of Red Yao ethnics, who get their name from the traditional red clothing. Like many other Chinese villages, Hunagluo enjoys very attractive natural surroundings and has plenty of ancient traditions to keep tourists entertained, but the most fascinating thing about it is the women’s obsession with long hair. In fact, the Yao settlement has received a Guinness certification for the “world’s longest hair village” and is also known as the “Long Hair Village” across China. Considering the average hair length of the 120 women in Huangluo is 1,7 meters and the longest locks exceed 2.1 meters, I’d say its reputation is well-deserved.

Hair has always played a big part in the lives of the Red Yao women of Huangluo. Until a few years ago, it was considered so important that no one, apart from the husband and children was allowed to look upon it when let loose. During the summer and autumn, women would go to the river to wash their hair and keep it covered with a blue scarf to keep it hidden. Only the man who would become her husband had the privilege to see a Hongyao woman’s hair in all its beauty, and that would only happen on their wedding day. If a local or a foreigner happened to stumble upon a woman with her hair revealed, he was forced to spend three years with her family as their son-in-law. But all these old traditions were abandoned in 1987, and Yao women can now proudly show and comb their jet black hair in public without worrying about the consequences

The women of Huangluo can only cut their hair once in their lives, when they turn 16, and they can start looking for a lover. But the hair isn’t simply thrown away, it’s given to the girl’s grandmother and made into an ornamental headpiece. When she marries, the hair is gifted to the groom, and later becomes a part of the woman’s everyday hairdo. It’s said a Red Yao woman’s hair is made of three bunches. One is the one that grows every day, the other is the cut headpiece, and the third is made from the falling strings of hair, which are collected every day. They all come together to form elaborate hairstyles which represent the social status of the bearer

All the women of Huangluo wear their long black hair in a tray-like hairstyle, but there are certain details that say a lot about her. If the hair is simply wrapped around her head, it means she is married but has no children. If she has a small bun at the front, it means she is married with children, and if she wears a kerchief around her head, it means she is looking for a lover. Regardless of their status, it’s impossible not to notice the beauty of every Red Yao woman’s dark hair. It’s said it comes from the special “shampoo” they use to wash it with - ”rice water” (water used to rinse rice).

If you were curious as to why these women let their hair grow so long, it’s because they believe it brings longevity, wealth and good fortune. The longer the hair, the more fortunate one will be.

Thanks for Reading

The Most Unusual Mcdonald’s Restaurants Built

Thanks for watching 

4 Ways With Lettuce Leaves

Lettuce Wedges with Creamy Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup mayonnaise $
• 2 large heads iceberg lettuce, quartered

Method:

1. Combine grated lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Add 2 Tbsp. hot water and mix well. Add mayonnaise and stir until smooth. (Dressing can be made up to 3 days in advance; cover and refrigerate.)
2. Arrange iceberg wedges on plates or a serving platter. Drizzle some dressing over each, sprinkle with pepper, if desired, and serve. Serve with remaining dressing.

Chinese Chicken and Mushroom Lettuce Cups

An perfect do ahead dish to serve to unexpected guests.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups minced mushrooms
• 500 gms minced chicken
• 3 cups shredded cabbage
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 cup minced green onions
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander
• 24 Iceberg lettuce leaves

Method:

1. Heat 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook for 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and chicken; cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add shredded cabbage, salt, crushed red pepper and cook for 5 minutes or until cabbage wilts. Remove from heat, and stir in onions, oyster sauce, and soy sauce. Cool completely. Place mixture in an airtight container or heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag; freeze.
2. Thaw chicken mixture overnight in refrigerator or microwave at MEDIUM for 10 minutes. Bring to room temperature, or microwave at HIGH until warm, if desired. Stir in cilantro. Spoon about 3 tablespoons chicken mixture into each lettuce leaf with a slotted spoon.

Stuffed Lettuce Parcels

Ingredients:

• Large lettuce leaves, washed and drained properly
• 1 cup plain rice washed, boiled and drained
• 10 walnuts each chopped in a few pieces
• 1 small raw carrot cut into very small squares (or grated)
•  2 small spring onions
• 1 tsp curry powder
• pinch of ground cardamon
• ½ tsp paprika
• finely chopped fresh mint and basil (about 4 leaves of each)
• 2 tbsps  golden sultanas
• 3 or 5 chopped, black olives
• a little dash of fresh lemon juice (optional)
• a little salt
• a little drizzle of olive or sunflower oil

Method:

In a non-stick pan, fry your pre-boiled rice in a little oil with all the spices for a couple of minutes, then allow to cool down properly. Now add the rest of the ingredients (except for the lettuce), and blend well using a fork.  Using a large spoon, place one or two servings into the centre of each leaf and roll – I would use a couple of toothpicks to keep in place.  Serve immediately.  A fresh fruit juice complements this wonderfully, and makes not only for a great light lunch but also a highly nutritious one.

Pickled Lettuce

A wonderful accompaniment to burgers and sandwiches, even good ol’ daal chawal!

Ingredients:

• 1 round head lettuce
• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 Tablespoons sugar
• 6 Tablespoons vinegar

Method:

1. Separate, wash and shred lettuce leaves. Place in large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, mix water, vinegar, sugar, and salt. The mixture can be adjusted a bit according to your taste.
3. Pour over lettuce. Use your hands to mix the lettuce well with the liquid.
4. Let sit for 20-30 minutes at room temperature. Refrigerate.

Thanks for reading