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Don’t Dispose of Medicines and Medicines Down The Drain: Here’s How to do it Right

What to do with old pills and opened bottles of cough syrup? Just in the toilet and flush? Not a good idea: Medicines find their way into the wastewater and thus into the water cycle in many ways – with negative consequences for the environment.

Medicines in waste water: causes and problems

Drugs get into the wastewater in a number of ways. People take medicines and may excrete some of them in their faeces or urine. Medicines that are administered as a cream enter the sewage system when you shower and bathe. On the other hand, disposal via the toilet and sink is completely avoidable and also wrong, explains Philip Heldt, graduate human biologist and ecotoxicologist from the NRW consumer advice center. Not inconsiderable amounts of medical waste products also come from livestock farming. Especially in farms with conventional intensive animal husbandry, the animals receive medication that gets into the groundwater via excretions.

However, how difficult it is to filter the substances out of the wastewater varies widely. Many medicinal active ingredients are quickly and easily degradable. However, this is not the case with others because they cannot be defeated by bacteria. Bacterial degradation is the common process in water treatment. In some places, sewage treatment plants are therefore retrofitted with activated carbon filters or ozonation systems in order to also destroy substances that cannot be eliminated by bacterial degradation. “It’s successful, but it’s not happening across the board,” criticizes Philip Heldt.

The further course of the substances is problematic. Water that has passed through the treatment plant then flows into rivers and thus back into the natural water cycle. “This means that people and animals drink from it and thus absorb the substances,” explains expert Heldt.

Effects on people, wildlife and flora

In a period of 30 years, substances such as diclofenac cause environmental cleaning costs of up to 1.5 billion euros, according to a new study by Prof. Mark Oelmann from the Ruhr West University. In 2019, 40 watercourses in Austria were examined and the painkiller diclofenac was detected in all of them. In studies for certain fish species, harmful effects on the liver and kidneys could be demonstrated. In trout, for example, half a microgram of diclofenac per liter of water already leads to kidney damage.

But: People do not ingest any drug residues through their drinking water. “You can drink the water from the tap without hesitation,” assures the resource conservation expert Heldt. On the one hand, most substances in the sewage treatment plants are degraded to well below the limit values. On the other hand, the water works only take water from very pure sources for drinking water. “To ensure that this continues to be possible in the future, careful handling of the wastewater is important.” You should not waste water and, above all, give it back as clean as possible.

Because the sewage treatment plants do not manage to filter out all the substances from the wastewater. Careful, sustainable use of water therefore means not only saving on the quantity, but above all loading it with as few things as possible that do not belong in it. “The toilet is not a dump,” warns Astrid Hackenesch-Rump

Conclusion

You too can make a contribution by using medication correctly. The most important thing is not to throw medication down the toilet or sink. You can hand in medicines that have expired or are no longer needed in most pharmacies, and disposal with the residual waste is also possible in almost all cities. The medicines are then burned with the other residual waste in the waste incineration plant. Medicines should only be taken to the recycling center in municipalities with mechanical-biological waste treatment. You can find out more on the homepage of your local waste disposal company. “Last but not least, moderate meat consumption contributes to water protection. Buying meat from organic farms is also an alternative, since less medication is used,” says von Heldt.

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Expert Refutes Diet Myth: That’s Why Thin People Just Don’t Gain Weight

Why can slim people eat whatever they want and still not gain weight? Expert Holger Klemm, head trainer at the fitness club, knows the answer. He reveals what this has to do with good insulation on the one hand and the sheer waste of energy on the other.

Lose weight successfully: Energy utilization is crucial

I explain the secret of these “turbo burners” as follows: The answer to the riddle lies in the so-called thermogenesis – also called energy utilization. Let’s compare two people, one slim and one overweight.

Secret of thin people: large heat losses

Lean people have poor energy utilization. This means that up to 40 percent of the energy consumed when eating is released into the environment as heat via the body. So people with little subcutaneous fat lose a lot of heat. They are ruthless “energy wasters”.

Heating costs are the biggest chunk in the calorie balance. This means that it has to be refilled as quickly as possible so that the core temperature of the body does not drop. If you compare it figuratively with a house, with today’s energy costs it would fall victim to the wrecking ball, at best it would be re-insulated and insulated.

With this type of metabolism, almost half of the calories consumed are lost to the atmosphere. These turbo combustors can usually keep their weight for life because they can hardly store any energy and have trouble not getting thinner. Unlike many overweight people.

Good insulation for fat people

Fat people are well insulated, which allows the body to store calories in depots in the body, even when eating less. If the supply becomes scarce, the body reduces the blood flow to the external areas. Cold hands and feet are typical signs and a permanent freezing. So he has enough energy left over to better isolate the vital rest, namely the body.

Calorie reduction often gives unwanted impetus

So it’s no wonder that skinny people with poor energy utilization can eat so often and so much. You simply don’t gain weight because the calories are burned off immediately. Attention: If you tend to be obese and simply reduce the number of calories you take in, you are teaching your body to store fat.

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Fasting For 5 Days: This is What Happens in Your Body When You Don’t Eat

Hunger is not a nice feeling. It is triggered in the hypothalamus of our brain. As soon as the blood sugar level drops, it reacts. But what happens if this state is maintained for several days?

Consciously abstain from eating for five days: That sounds hard at first. You shouldn’t do it just like that and without informing yourself. There is the so-called therapeutic fasting: The withdrawal of food has positive effects on the body. In the meantime, the metabolism has to adapt strongly.

If the body is no longer supplied with food, although it is asking for it, it switches to emergency mode. He fears for his survival. First, the organism draws on its sugar reserves. These are stored as glycogen in the liver. But after 24 hours they are used up too. Next comes the egg white. It is broken down from muscles and also from the organs. The organs also lose size. At five days, however, the loss is still very small. From day four, the body falls back on the fat reserves and you start to smell unpleasant. Acetoacetic acid is produced when fat is burned. This is then transported away via sweat and breathing air.

Eating nothing: There are positive and negative effects

However, there are also side effects due to the lack of food. These include, for example, circulatory problems, headaches, freezing, water retention, sleep changes, muscle cramps, temporary visual disturbances and disturbances in the electrolyte balance.

In addition, the heart beats slower and blood pressure drops. After just a brief abstinence from food, the brain begins to produce more serotonin. Serotonin is also known as the happiness hormone. After a few days of fasting, serotonin stays in the blood for a longer period of time and your mood improves.

Under no circumstances should you just stop eating like that. If you want to cure fasting, you should get as much information as possible beforehand and possibly consult a doctor. Pregnant and breastfeeding women in particular, people with eating disorders or mental illnesses, type 1 diabetes, dementia or liver and kidney dysfunction should not fast.

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Barley Grass and Wheat Grass: Don’t Bring Much and Hardly Taste Good

Barley grass and wheat grass: Now the germs of the two types of grain are also supposed to be superfoods. The trend is once again coming from America, where Hollywood stars and top athletes want to improve their diet with smoothies made from the green powder.

The sprouts serve a lot of clichés: They are green, they are fresh, and as young seedlings they are particularly rich in nutrients. And they contain many plant growth factors that have a rejuvenating effect on cells. This raises great expectations: for example, barley grass is said to cure cancer, make muscles grow, alleviate gastrointestinal diseases and lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Wheatgrass, on the other hand, detoxifies, weakens the harmful effects of radioactive radiation, helps against diabetes and infections of all kinds. In addition, both types of sprouts are naturally perfect sources of nutrients.

So much for the full-bodied promises of grass fans. In this case, cows should be bursting with health on the pasture. And indoor cats should never get sick. Isn’t that right? That’s exactly why we researched the facts behind the grass hype to find out what the promise of salvation really is.

What exactly are barley grass and wheat grass?

Although barley grass and wheatgrass are marketed as new, great superfoods, they are well-known plants. In spring, the superfoods can even be found by the millions on the fields in Germany. Because barley grass is the young shoots of barley that emerge shortly after germination. In fact, it is the barley that is normally sold as grain in our country. Cat owners may also know barley grass in another context: from the small bowls that are sold as “cat grass”. Again, these are just barley sprouts in a nutrient concentrate.

The same applies to wheatgrass, except that the young shoots are only harvested after about three weeks. This is when the nutrient content of wheatgrass is said to be at its highest. The plant then uses this for its own growth and for the formation of stalks and seeds.

Wheatgrass or barley grass juice: ingredients and nutritional values

Like all real cereals, wheatgrass and barley grass belong to the grass family. As mature grains, barley and wheat therefore contain gluten. Since the grass variants are harvested as somewhat older seedlings, especially in industrial production, they have not yet developed ears. Barley grass and wheat grass are therefore gluten-free, but contain a lot of carbohydrates – when fresh, therefore, around 300 kcal per 100 grams. The high energy density also explains the main purpose of barley grass: as fattening feed for cattle.

However, fresh barley grass also contains many minerals and vitamins, for example 3.4 mg zinc, 37 mg iron, 179 mg magnesium or 832 mg calcium. Wheatgrass scores with its high iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium content. In addition, the wheat sprouts contain a lot of vitamins A, C, E and K. The roughage, which is present in large quantities in the raw green shoots, no longer plays a role in the juice from wheatgrass or barley grass due to the pressing. Incidentally, these are also largely lost in the powder. However, the chlorophyll, the green plant pigment, which is said to play a role in cell protection, is retained.

Buy wheatgrass and barley grass powder

Wheatgrass and barley grass are rarely available fresh or as juice. This is due to the composition of the sweet grasses, which, like all grasses, spoil quickly once they are cut. However, since humans cannot consume wheatgrass hay or barley grass silage like cows can, the sprouts are (freeze) dried and processed into powder. The ingredients of barley grass and wheat grass are significantly reduced by the drying process, although it is very gentle.

You can then either buy pure barley grass and wheat grass powder, pressed into tablets or as capsules. But be careful: Since both grasses grow on normal fields, the pollution can be high even with supposedly organic products. Caution is advised, especially with products from the Internet, which often come from Asia.

So you can grow wheatgrass or barley grass yourself

On the other hand, it is safe to grow barley grass or wheatgrass on the windowsill at home without any harmful substances. Bowls or flower pots with soil or nutrient granules serve as a “field”. As seeds for barley grass and wheat grass you simply take normal, untreated and whole wheat or barley grains. These are available either in the health food store or, for example, in the country trade. But always ask for organic grain there, which is less polluted and healthier.

Then simply sprinkle a handful of grains on your bed, cover with a thin layer of soil or granules and moisten. At room temperature and moderately moist soil, wheat and barley germinate after a few days. You can harvest the shoots after about ten days to three weeks.

Barley grass: effects and side effects

Barley grass is said to have an almost unbelievable effect. The ingredients of barley grass are mostly antioxidants and plant growth factors. On the one hand, these should render the aggressive free radicals harmless and at the same time stimulate healthy cell renewal. The barley grass is said to support the body in dealing with radioactive radiation, fight cancer, heal gastrointestinal diseases and also have a positive effect on muscle building and mood.

In addition, fans of green sprouts say they lower cholesterol levels, boost the immune system due to their high nutrient density and speed up recovery from illness. Only fresh barley grass has side effects, as the long plant fibers are difficult for humans to digest. Therefore, the consumption of larger amounts is not advisable.

What is the effect of wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is also full of antioxidants and rich in nutrients. Similar to barley sprouts, the effect of wheatgrass is based on these ingredients. A 2015 meta-study summarized the possible effects of wheatgrass. The green shoots are said to help fight tumor cells and help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism.

Clinical trials on humans show a possible support of chemotherapies and maybe also reduce their side effects. And stomach ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes can also be treated with it. The same applies to wheatgrass: Only the fresh plants have side effects due to the high content of plant fibers. No problems were observed with wheatgrass powder or juice.

What do the powder products bring?

Granted, it sounds tempting. A bit of wheatgrass powder mixed with water and drunk daily and cancer, diabetes, obesity or stomach problems are history. Or maybe a little barley grass powder in the green smoothie and the flu season won’t bother me anymore.

It would be too good to be true. After all, both barley grass and wheatgrass only have one “effect”: they fill the coffers of the manufacturers. Nothing has been scientifically proven. The healing promises of barley grass are usually only based on experience or experiments in the test tube. There is only one small study on the effect on cholesterol levels, which, however, could not find any effect. The same applies to wheatgrass. The meta-study already mentioned says that although effects were observed, the studies were only carried out with small samples, were not methodologically flawless or were carried out on animals.

What remains is the high nutrient density of barley grass and wheat grass. Basically positive, but if you put the values ​​in relation to the daily consumed amount as powder, capsules or tablets, this effect is also lost again. The bottom line is that there is no advantage left by the two green sprouts.

Conclusion: How useful are barley grass and wheat grass really?

Barley grass and wheat grass are green. They also grow at home on the windowsill. The nutrient density is relatively high. And they are marketed as superfoods. But that was it in terms of advantages. What is not mentioned is the risk of ingesting harmful substances such as mineral oils, pesticides or environmental toxins with wheatgrass juice or barley grass powder. Or that the dietary fibers in the stalks are hardly digestible for humans, but are absent in juice and powder anyway.

It is also often swept under the rug that when processed into barley grass or wheatgrass powder, many of the nutrients are lost and the daily amount consumed is only small. As is the fact that none of the claimed medicinal effects have been scientifically proven. So overall, the green grasses are nice but useless, they don’t even taste good. It is much better to switch to other green vegetables.

Broccoli, kale, spinach or chard also contain a lot of chlorophyll, vitamins and minerals. These types of vegetables can be bought regionally, seasonally and, of course, organically, and they are certainly tastier than barley grass or wheat grass.

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Don’t Throw Away Banana Peels: You Can Still Use Them For That

You shouldn’t throw away banana peels because you can still use them for many different things. We’ll show you great tricks on how you can still use the banana peels.

Bananas are often contaminated with many pesticides. Therefore, you should always buy organic bananas, as the pesticide residues are low or non-existent. This is especially important if you’re going to reuse the peel, as it contains most of the pesticides, not the fruit itself.

Use banana peels as fertilizer

The banana peel is a great fertilizer for the garden: more than ten percent of the peel consists of minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium. It also contains some nitrogen and sulfur – good for many plants. Here’s how you do it:
Cut the peel into small pieces so that it will decompose faster later.
Now you can lay the bowl in the sun to dry or spread it out straight away.
It is best to mix the banana peel pieces a little under the soil between the roots. Perennial plants and flowers, such as roses, are particularly happy about the banana peels.
The guideline is about 100 g of banana peel per plant – but over-fertilizing is actually not possible.

Banana peel against dust on indoor plants

If you don’t have a garden, you can also use the banana peels to care for the leaves of your houseplants. The banana peel binds the dust – ideal for indoor plants in winter.

To do this, rub the inside (where the pulp is) over the leaves.
The dust then sticks to the sticky inside of the banana peel.
In addition, the banana peel gives the plant a new shine and ensures that dust cannot settle so quickly.
Tip: If you cut up the banana peels and put them in the flower pot of your houseplant, you also prevent aphid infestation and other pests.

Polish leather with banana peel

What works with the leaves of the plant also works with the leather couch:
Simply rub the inside of the banana peel over the leather.
Then polish the spot again with a dry cloth.
Then the leather shines again.
By the way, you can not only polish leather with banana peels, but also silver, chrome and stainless steel.

Whiten your teeth with banana peels

Banana peels are a natural bleach, but they are not as harsh as citric acid, for example. That’s why the shell is also good for whitening your teeth:
You have to rub the inside of the banana peel into your teeth for about two minutes every day.
After about 14 days, your teeth will be significantly lighter.
This method is also suitable for removing light stains on the teeth.

Banana peel against acne and blemishes

Anyone suffering from acne and other skin blemishes can rely on the power of the banana peel. Because it not only contains many minerals such as zinc and iron, but also vitamins and antioxidants. The starch contained in the banana binds the oil that clogs the pores.

First clean and dry your face

Rub the banana peel on the pimple or affected area of ​​skin for several minutes at night.
You can then wash off the residue the next morning.
However, it is important that you use ripe bananas and treat the acne with banana peels for at least 14 days.

Beautiful through banana peels

Not only are banana peels a tried-and-true acne remedy, the peels have even more tricks up their sleeves:
Anti-wrinkle agent: Because the banana peel contains antioxidants, it prevents premature aging of the skin. Rubbing the inside of your eyes and on your forehead can tighten your skin.
Against warts: The enzymes in the banana peel naturally help warts to disappear again. Place a piece of banana peel on the wart and secure it with a band-aid. After 7 to 10 days, the wart has receded. You should replace the shell every three days.
Painkillers: The oil in banana peels can relieve pain from burns. To do this, simply wrap the peel over the affected areas of skin.

Ripe avocados with banana peels

Avocados are either overripe or rock hard. Anyone who knows the problem can use banana peels to speed up the ripening process, at least with hard avocados: bananas contain the ripening gas ethylene. That’s why you can simply add the banana peels to the avocados and have a ripe avocado within 24 to 48 hours.

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Don’t Throw It Away: This is How You Can Use the Rind of the Watermelon

In summer, watermelons are a refreshing dessert. You don’t have to throw away the shell, you can use it. We’ll show you what else you can use watermelon peel for.

Of course, many people think of the fruity-sweet and refreshing watermelon flesh first when they think of watermelons. In fact, all parts of the watermelon are edible, including the seeds and the skin. There are many easy ways you can use watermelon rind in delicious recipes. We introduce them to you below.

Use watermelon peel quickly

Do you have some leftover peel and you are cooking anyway? Then try one of these ideas:

1. Grated watermelon peel

The simplest method: grate the zest and mix into salads. For example, you can spice up a coleslaw with watermelon peel or add it to a cucumber and dill salad. Or you mix the finely grated zest with cold soups.

Tip: Roasted watermelon seeds are a good topping for soups and salads.

2. Smoothie with watermelon peel

The next time you make a watermelon smoothie (or any other fruity blended drink), just throw the watermelon rind into the blender. So you don’t have to throw away the leftovers, but give the smoothie additional fiber.

Tip: How about a breakfast smoothie bowl or summer smoothies with regional ingredients? Both recipes are good for using watermelon peel in an uncomplicated way.

Recipe for pickled watermelon rind

The watermelon peel is also welcome to take the leading role in some recipes. In other countries this is nothing unusual. For example, in the United States, pickled or candied watermelon peels are common. For example, you can pickle the peel of the watermelon in a sweet and sour way.

For about two to three glasses, each with 400 milliliters of pickled watermelon peel, you need the following ingredients:

1 large watermelon
3 tbsp salt
1 organic lemon or 1 organic lime
1/2 l balsamic vinegar
750g brown sugar
1-2 cm fresh ginger
2-3 cinnamon sticks
8 cloves
8 allspice corns
Now follow these steps:

Eighth the watermelon. Remove the red pulp. There should now be about an inch of peel left.
Remove the dark green, bitter outer skin with a sharp knife or vegetable peeler.
Cut the peel into bite-sized pieces.
Mix the zest with the salt and the juice of half a lemon and leave to stand under a kitchen towel overnight.
After the brewing time, wash the bowl off briefly.
Put the bowl in a saucepan. Fill it with water until the bowl is just covered.
Bring everything to the boil and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Strain the peel and catch the water.
Finely slice the ginger and the other half of the lemon. Coarsely grind the cinnamon, cloves, and allspice.
Mix a quarter of the cooking liquid with the balsamic vinegar and sugar, add the spices and bring to the boil.
Add the melon cubes and let the brew simmer over low heat for about 50 minutes. The skins should now be translucent.
Pour the hot mixture into sterilized jars and seal immediately. Let them rest for at least two to three weeks. Serve the pickled watermelon peels as a sweet and sour side dish, for example.

Watermelon rind jam recipe

You can also use the watermelon peel to make jam.

For about six to seven jam jars with a capacity of 250 milliliters you need the following ingredients:

1 kg watermelon peel
2.5 liters of water
200 ml apple cider vinegar
1 lemon
1 kg preserving sugar
1 packet of vanilla sugar
How to make jam from watermelon rind:

Eighth the watermelon. Remove the red pulp. There should now be about an inch of peel left.
Remove the dark green, bitter outer skin with a sharp knife or vegetable peeler.
Cut the peel into bite-sized pieces.
Add two liters of water and 200 milliliters of apple cider vinegar and let everything boil for two hours over medium heat.
After cooking, drain the shells and rinse them in cold water.
Put the peels back in the saucepan, add half a liter of water, the juice of the lemon, a kilo of preserving sugar and a sachet of vanilla sugar. Cook everything until the mass has thickened. You can now puree them completely or partially.
Pour the hot jam into jars. Close the jam jars and turn them upside down for five minutes. Wrap the jars in a kitchen towel and let them sit for half a day.

2 good reasons to use watermelon peel

1. Watermelon rind contains many nutrients

There are many valuable ingredients in the watermelon peel: it contains a lot of fiber that quickly fills you up. It also contains amino acids, which support the body in muscle building, among other things, as well as lots of vitamin A.

There is still a white layer between the green outer skin and the red flesh of the fruit, which is considered to be one of the best sources of the amino acid citrulline. The body converts citrulline into the amino acid arginine, which is said to dilate blood vessels and thereby improve blood flow.

According to US researchers, arginine can increase male potency. Whether you can produce this effect by eating watermelon, however, is considered controversial. According to critics, the concentration of amino acids is too low.

2. Watermelon rind is not food waste

Food waste is a big problem of our time. According to the consumer center, 12 million tons of food end up in the garbage every year in Germany alone. Much of what we throw in the bin is actually still edible.

If we waste food, this also has disadvantages for the environment: Because to produce food you need energy, water and other raw materials. If we consume too much of it, our ecological footprint increases – we use up the resources that should be available to future generations.

The climate is also negatively influenced by food waste. For example, according to the consumer association, the annual food waste in the EU causes the same amount of CO2 as the entire Netherlands.

34 percent of the food waste in households consists of fruit and vegetables. If you start recycling peels and other “waste” items, you too can eliminate waste and reduce litter.

Buy organic watermelons

If you want to use the peel, you should make sure that the melon comes from controlled organic cultivation. Conventional watermelons are usually sprayed with pesticides. In China, for example, forchlorfenuron is used as a growth regulator. (More information: Watermelon: The summer fruit really is that healthy)

Pesticides not only harm pests but also other animals and insects – in this respect they threaten biodiversity. In addition, many of the agents are suspected of being harmful to health – glyphosate is just one of many examples. Even after washing, there could still be residues of pesticides on the bowl. Organic watermelons, on the other hand, are not treated with chemical pesticides.

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Don’t Throw Away Orange Peels: This is How You Can Reuse Them

Oranges smell wonderful and taste delicious. But the orange peels are too good to be thrown away. We’ll tell you how to continue using them.

Oranges are one of the most popular types of fruit, and not just in the cold season when you’re sitting comfortably indoors. No wonder, because they are delicious and contain a lot of vitamin C. But very few people think about the ecological balance of the delicious citrus fruit. For their production alone, 560 liters of water are used per kilogram of oranges in Mediterranean regions. If the citrus fruits come from further away, it is often even more liters. The oranges that you can buy from us mostly come from Spain or Italy. A lot of CO2 is emitted on the long transport routes.

Therefore, you should pay attention to the following when buying:

Only buy organic oranges and make sure they are grown fairly. Many pickers in conventional farms are only paid a pittance.
Pay attention to the country of origin. Opt for fruits that have been grown in Europe rather than those from South America.
Although oranges can be bought all year round, their main season is from November to March, as they are harvested in autumn. So it is better to buy oranges in these months than in summer.
Keep the oranges in a cool, ventilated place and consume them within a few days. Otherwise they can easily spoil.
Since the ecological balance of oranges is rather poor, you should use the citrus fruit completely – including its peel.

Basically, you can use the bowl in different forms:

Fresh: Use the zest immediately after peeling the orange
dried: Place the orange peels on the heater or let them dry at room temperature on a kitchen towel for several days. Once the peels are dry, you can store them for a long time.
If you want to use the orange peel in the kitchen, you should definitely buy unsprayed organic fruit.
By the way: You can also use all of these tips on tangerine peels.

You can find out how you can use orange peel in the following sections.

This is how you continue to use orange peels in the household

Remove limescale: You can use fresh, undried orange peels to combat limescale stains in the bathroom or kitchen, as the peels contain citric acid. You can rub off affected fittings with the inside of fresh orange peel, which will make them look almost like new again.
Neutralize odors: You can use fresh orange peel to remove odors, for example if plastic bowls or lunch boxes smell unpleasant. Rub them with the peels and then wash them out thoroughly.
Against stench in the oven: Orange peels even help against stench in the oven: simply heat them briefly in the oven. Thanks to the essential oils it contains, the bad smell will soon be a thing of the past.
Orange peel instead of fabric softener: You can also use untreated orange peel as an alternative to fabric softener. Simply put the shells in a cotton bag and put them in the wash. They help soften the water. In addition, everything smells wonderfully of oranges afterwards.
Orange peels instead of rinse aid: The same works as a rinse aid substitute for the dishwasher: simply put the fresh orange peels in the cutlery tray.
Orange peels against moths: Dried orange peels help against moths. Just put or hang a few in your closet.
Homemade all-purpose cleaner: You can easily make your own all-purpose cleaner from fresh orange peel and vinegar.

Orange peel: A versatile ingredient in body care

Help with blemishes: With the essential oils from orange peel you can fight age spots and pimples. Rub the white inside of a fresh orange peel over the affected area. If you repeat this a few times, the affected skin should recover.
Bad breath remedies: Chewing on untreated orange peel can help against bad breath. However, you should not do this too often, as the acid it contains can damage your tooth enamel. You should then give yourself some time before brushing your teeth the next time.
Shiny hair: You can also make hair conditioner from orange peels. Put the orange peels in a bowl and cover them with apple cider vinegar. Let the whole thing steep for about two days. Then pour off the orange peel and fill up the vinegar solution with water. It should be about three times as much water as apple cider vinegar. After washing your hair, pour the conditioner over your head without rinsing it out afterwards. The acidic rinse removes residue from your hair and gives it new shine.

Orange peels bring delicious flavors to the kitchen

Orange tea: You can quickly and easily make your own tea from orange peel. To do this, pour hot water on them when they are fresh or dry. The tea should steep for about ten minutes. The peel of an orange is enough for a pot of tea.
Citrus aroma for baking: With dried lemon, tangerine or orange peel you can give your home-baked pastries a fruity note. Plane off part of the peel and let it dry well. After that, you can store the pieces in a jar. Make sure the can is dry and airtight.
Vitamin C powder: Using a blender or food processor, crush dried tangerine or orange peel until pulverized. You can sprinkle the vitamin C powder obtained in this way over your muesli or eat a spoonful every now and then to strengthen your immune system.

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Don’t Miss: 6 Wild Herbs to Collect in Spring

You can often find wild herbs that you can collect in spring on your own doorstep. They are delicious and very healthy at the same time. We introduce you to six herbs and suitable recipes.

It’s amazing what’s growing outside: In Europe, there are around 500 species of wild plants that you can collect throughout the year. In addition to the well-known medicinal and medicinal plants, this also includes wild herbs. These bring very different flavors, ranging from sweet to bitter.

But beware: Not all wild plants are edible! So before you start your search, you should read our article for tips on collecting, identifying and eating wild herbs.

In the following, we will introduce you to six spring wild herbs and how you can use them for culinary purposes.

Wild garlic: The classic spring wild herb

Wild garlic is one of the absolute classics among the wild herbs in spring. You will find the plant preferably in shady (meadow) forests. What is special about wild garlic is its unique aroma of onion and garlic. You can eat both the young leaves and pickle the wild garlic buds. Wild garlic is also good for your health: it is said to have a cleansing and detoxifying effect. Once picked, you can use wild garlic in a variety of ways: either as a spread or homemade wild garlic pesto, as a wild garlic soup or as a salad accompaniment. If you want to be a little more creative, you can also try more unusual recipes: Read our article to find out which wild garlic recipes are available.

Caution: wild garlic looks similar to many a poisonous double, for example the lily of the valley. If in doubt, you can recognize the wild garlic when you rub the leaves between your fingers. If you smell garlic then, there is a high probability that it is wild garlic. More on this here: Recognizing wild garlic – and not confusing it with the poisonous lily of the valley.

Dandelions with bright yellow flowers in spring

The dandelion is widespread with its bright yellow flowers. With their sweet taste, the flowers are ideal as a spice or in a salad. You can eat raw or cook the yellow flowers found in green meadows. However, please make sure to only use the flowers in moderation, as the oxalic acid they contain should not be eaten in large quantities.

If you want spring to come to your house, you can try your hand at a homemade dandelion salad or use the special aroma to make dandelion honey yourself.

Ribwort plantain as an ingredient for quark or scrambled eggs

You can get the buckhorn at the edges of paths or in meadows. People have always used its crushed leaves as a medicinal herb, but you can also eat buckhorn. Although it does not have a distinctive taste of its own, it goes well with other herbs.

Use the tender leaves, for example, in salads, as an ingredient in quark and scrambled eggs or for buckhorn tea. You can also use the spring wild herb in case of illness: It helps you as a home remedy for coughs in the form of plantain cough syrup.

Giersch: Edible weeds instead of weeds

For gardeners, ground elder is often nothing more than weeds, as the herb spreads across the board. So you have a good chance of finding it in shady meadows in spring. The taste of Giersch is reminiscent of spinach, so you can use it in many ways. You can make many delicious recipes from the vitamin C bomb, for example a wild herb salad or potato soup. You can read more goutweed recipes in the linked article.

Collect aromatic garlic mustard in spring

The completely edible garlic mustard can be found in masses as a weed on forest paths in spring. Its aroma is sharp and with a light touch of garlic. Younger leaves have a finer flavor and are less pungent than older ones. In the kitchen, you can use the garlic mustard to make wild herb pesto, for example, or to refine salads. In the linked article, we tell you what else you should know about the application and mode of action of garlic mustard.

Meadowfoam herb as a pepper substitute

Meadowfoam grows in abundance in meadows in spring. You can recognize it from afar by the lush, white flower clusters. Did you know that weeds are an important food source for bees and insects? You can also harvest the leaves and flowers, which taste like cress and use them in your home kitchen. For example, you can use the hot seeds as an alternative to black pepper for seasoning. In small quantities, the meadowfoam herb also tastes great in herb quark or as a spread.

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Food

Don’t Throw Away the Cucumber Peel: You Can Still Do That with It

If you peel cucumbers before eating, don’t throw away the cucumber peel. We introduce you to a delicious drink with cucumber peel and other uses.

It’s not strictly necessary that you peel cucumbers, especially if you’re using organic cucumbers. If you still prefer peeled cucumbers, you can use the peel separately. After all, the cucumber peel contains a particularly large number of vitamins, as well as dietary fibers that can support your digestion. So it would be a shame if you just threw away the cucumber peel.

We will show you how you can reuse the cucumber peel. It is important that you use the peel of organic cucumbers. Because according to organic guidelines, chemical-synthetic pesticides that can occur as residues in conventional cucumbers are prohibited. Also wash the cucumbers carefully.

You can make a refreshing drink from cucumber peels

You can easily prepare a refreshing drink from cucumber peel, mint and lemon. This leaves lemon zest. But don’t worry, you can also use the peel of the lemons.

Ingredients:

1 organic cucumber (peel)

4 sprigs of mint lemon
400 ml water ice cubes

Directions:

Cut the cucumber peel into rough pieces.
Wash the mint and lemon.
Halve the lemon and squeeze out the juice.
Place the cucumber peel, mint, and lemon juice in a blender, puree, and divide into two glasses.
Fill the glasses with water and add ice cubes if you like.

More ideas with cucumber peel

Instead of throwing away the cucumber peel, you can use it in other recipes.

  • You can cut the cucumber skin into pieces and add it to a salad.
  • You can give a herb quark more freshness with some finely chopped cucumber peel.
  • You can also prepare a smoothie with cucumber peel and other vegetables or fruit. Then less water may be needed because the cucumber skin contains a lot of moisture. For example, you can also use other leftover vegetables in a smoothie. For example, try it with a few radish leaves or the core of a salad or broccoli.
  • Mix (vegan) cream cheese with finely chopped cucumber peel and some salt and pepper. This makes a delicious spread.

If you don’t want to eat the cucumber peel, you can use it very well as a refreshment and relaxation for tired eyes. Simply place pieces of bowl under your eyes or on your closed lids and relax for ten minutes.

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