Pantry Potpourri:
Saving With Salt
Whether used as a seasoning, in lieu of money or immortalized in superstitious lore, salt has been productively utilized around the world even before it was first referenced in the Book of Job thousands of years ago. It's likely you presently have more than a pinch of salt in your pantry, so open a container and check out what else salt can do:
Clean Vases: "Mix 1/3 cup salt and 2 tablespoons vinegar to form a paste. Apply to inside of vase. Let stand 20 minutes, scrub, and discard paste. Rinse vase and dry. For a large vase, double or triple the quantity of paste." www.mortonsalt.com
Boil Eggs: Adding salt to a pot of boiling eggs helps the proteins in egg whites coagulate faster to stop a cracked egg from leaking. (Hint: Gently tap each boiled egg with the end of a butter knife approximately 3-5 minutes before fully boiled to create a slight crack in the shell. This makes the eggs super easy to peel. - Thanks Grandma Floss!)
Disposal Odors: To help remove odors from garbage disposals, pour 1/2 cup of salt into the disposal. Run the disposal following the manufacturer's directions, and eliminate unwanted smells! www.mortonsalt.com
Air Freshener: Need an air freshener in a pinch? Mortonsalt.com suggests cutting an orange in half, removing the pulp and filling the peel with salt. "It will provide a pleasant, aromatic scent anywhere in your home." (My home office does smell refreshingly good!)
Sore Throat Relief: First, let me say that I have been made to use this home remedy more times than I'd like to remember, and every time I wanted to gag! But, even the American Academy of Otolaryngology (ENTs) recommend its' use, so I won't disagree! Mix 1/4 tsp. salt with 1/2 cup warm water and gargle several times a day to relieve mild sore throat discomfort.
Christmas Ornaments: Oh, the 70's! C'mon, your family had some of those cute salt dough ornaments hanging on your Christmas tree too, right? Well, maybe I'm dating myself, but I vividly remember begging my mother to personally hang the turtle salt dough ornament every year! If you've never made salt dough creations, or want to "feel tha funk" all over again, try this great recipe from Morton Salt:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water
To make the dough, mix the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add a little water at a time, mixing as you pour, to form a ball. Knead 7-10 minutes until the dough has a smooth, firm consistency. To prevent drying, place the dough in a plastic bag. Sculpt your design and let air dry for 48 hours or bake at 325-350 for 30 minutes or until the surface turns a light golden brown.
Play Dough: If you're looking for a reusable craft project to spice up a rainy day, try this Morton Salt Klaymates recipe for softer play dough:
Mix 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1 cup water, and a few drops of food coloring (optional). Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick and lumpy. Cool slightly and then knead in 1 or 2 drops of vegetable oil. Store in a sealed container when not in use.
Salt is definitely worth its' weight as a multipurpose household tool and you just can't live without it! Stock up on this pantry staple the next time you find a great sale!
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