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Useful household tips and natural home remedies for potatoes. We use the potato very often in the household, but until now we have used it far too little as a remedy and health maker.

Eat and use delicious potatoes

Potatoes are a fruit we love very much, and they thrive in almost every field in our region. Sometimes the tubers from the supermarket don’t taste good, and they don’t keep very long either, so they’re even thrown away. Potatoes from organic farms in the immediate region are hardly more expensive, but usually taste much better. You should get some at the market and even buy a few extra pounds to store in the basement so that you always have some and can be sure that they really taste good.

Grow potatoes on the balcony or in the apartment

You can also grow and pull up potatoes on the balcony yourself. On the balcony, terrace, or in the apartment. The tubers are easy to grow in a large bucket.

Save oversalted potatoes

There is a simple trick for oversalted potatoes. It depends on how salty the tubers are. Re-boil the potatoes with fresh water and one raw, peeled potato. The potatoes placed next to it will absorb the excess salt.

More vitamins in boiled potatoes

In order to make the best use of the vitamin content, it is better to cook them unpeeled and only then peel them off. At the same time, you have the effect that you have less work and all family members participate in peeling the potatoes. At the same time, these skins are also much thinner, so that almost the entire potato can be used to the full.

Clever peeling of jacket potatoes

For jacket potatoes, this trick makes peeling things quicker. You can make peeling easier in a matter of seconds: cut each potato in the middle before cooking. Then cook the tubers as normal and at the end quench the potatoes in really cold water for a few seconds. Then you can simply peel off the peel with your hands or even push out the cooked potatoes.

Use the cooking water for the sauce

If the potatoes are washed completely clean and cooked, then you can use the cooking water, which is rich in vitamins and minerals, to mix the sauce or for a soup.

Make chips out of the potato peel

After peeling the potatoes, you can collect the potato skins. The shells contain a lot of nutrients and minerals. You can reuse them for hearty potato chips. It’s easy: put all the potato skins on a baking sheet. Drizzle with vegetable oil and season with salt, pepper, chili, or paprika to taste. Then bake in the oven for about 15 minutes at 180 degrees until the chips are crispy.

Potatoes as a household remedy

  • Potato water for weed control: The water is ideal for weed control. Simply pour the hot cooking water over the plants. A natural alternative to chemical weed killers.
  • Use potato water as fertilizer: You have to boil the potatoes without salt. The potato water is very suitable as a garden fertilizer or plant fertilizer. It contains a lot of potassium and valuable vitamins.

Potato as a natural remedy

Potatoes can also be used to cure colds and sore throats. They are boiled and wrapped in a cloth while hot. You put this cloth on your chest or around your neck if you have a sore throat, lie down in bed, and try to sleep. After a certain time, you start to sweat, and after a good night’s sleep, the symptoms can be significantly reduced.

Interesting information and tips about coffee, home remedies with coffee grounds, and delicious recipes with coffee beans. So that it also tastes better and stays fresh longer, you need a few housewife tips. Around 73 million cups of coffee are enjoyed in Germany every day. One more reason to take a closer look at the coffee in the household.

Origin and growing countries

The country of origin is probably the Kingdom of Kaffa in Ethiopia. The invigorating effect of coffee was discovered very early on; it was also roasted as early as the 15th century. From Turkey, it reached Europe via Italy in the 16th century. From here it spread very quickly across the entire continent.

The largest coffee suppliers are located in South America and can be found in East Asian countries. The black gold has a long way to go before the aromatic hot drink gets into the cup. The coffee bush has white flowers and red fruits, which contain the actual coffee bean. After the roasting process, this bean is ground into powder and brewed with boiling hot water through a filter.

Coffee as a home remedy

The crumbs left over from brewing are called coffee grounds, which are used in the home as an old household remedy. Coffee grounds on areas of the dark suit that have become bare make these areas disappear. Sprinkle some of the coffee grounds down the sink to neutralize bad smells. Reading in the coffee grounds is also known, which was often practiced in the past for fortune-telling.

Store coffee properly

The storage of coffee is an important thing, as it is always about the aroma. If you store it incorrectly, it loses its aroma and tastes bland and stale. It’s always best to keep the coffee airtight in a resealable coffee can. Unfortunately, this optimum is not always given, since the coffee can be missing or not all the coffee fits in.

Especially if you have leftover coffee after filling up your coffee can, it is advisable to store the coffee in the refrigerator together with the opened protective packaging. So it stays fresh much longer and the whole aroma is preserved.

Use of coffee in the home

The popular flavored drink can be drunk in black, or sugar, and possibly milk can be added to suit your taste. However, modern coffee machines can also make various other drinks from the coffee powder, such as the small espresso, cappuccino, which is made with frothed milk, latte macchiato, which is made with milk and espresso, and many more.

Contrary to popular belief, coffee is a healthy drink that not only awakens spirits. It prevents heart attacks and elevates mood, which can be explained by the caffeine content and good blood flow. So you can give high-quality coffee as a gift.

Research results on coffee

The latest research has shown that drinking coffee in moderation is not as unhealthy as previously thought. However, it should not be drunk more than 4 cups a day. After 5 minutes, the positive effect of the coffee sets in, it lifts the mood and concentration. Only side dishes such as cream, sugar, and cigarettes are unhealthy. With unfiltered or prepared coffee, e.g. B with Turkish, be a little more careful, because it can increase the cholesterol level. Conclusion: Enjoy the coffee in moderation and there is something for every taste.

Salt is one of the most important substances for human life. Six grams is the daily requirement for an adult. Only the word root “Sal” from the Indo-European is also found in other terms. Salt used to mean power and wealth and has now become a cheap mass product. It was of great importance to the people of ancient Egypt. It served as a preservative and spice.

Types of salt at a glance

There are four different varieties and types.

  1. Rock salt is the original salt and was formed around 250 million years ago. It is mined in mines and is much healthier than industrially produced table salt.
  2. Table salt is refined and cheap. It is not entirely harmless to health.
  3. Sea salt is extracted from the sea by evaporation.
  4. Evaporated salt is extracted from the salt rock from underground rock salt deposits using water pressure.

Effect and use in the household

Salt is essential for the human organism, but only in moderation. It supplies the cells with minerals and traces elements. In addition, the fluid balance is regulated by it. The healing properties of salt are also used for medicinal purposes. For external use, salt is used in the form of brine envelopes (salt water solution). These are used for muscle tension, insect bites, or headaches. They can also be helpful for colds, liver or gallbladder disorders, and stomach and intestinal problems.

In the home, of course, salt is primarily used to flavor food. In addition, there are numerous other application examples. Salt is also used as a cleaning agent in the home. Red wine stains can be easily removed with table salt. Simply sprinkle onto the stain, do not rub in, and wash out again after a few hours. Other stains can also be removed with salt. Coffee and tea stains on porcelain, vegetable stains on the skin. Blood stains on the fabric can also be removed with a salt-water solution.

It is one of the most popular fruits of all: the orange. Often it is also called orange, mainly because of its actual origin.

Freely translated into German, Sina means China, which is why the name Chinese apple was often heard in the past. The orange was discovered in China around 2000 years before Christ and has been used ever since. With a few detours via India and Babylon, it finally reached Europe in the 15th century.

Properties of Oranges

Oranges have a high content of vitamin C, which is why they are often used to strengthen our immune system. They are also relatively low in calories, a fact that shows that larger amounts of sweet citrus fruit are also healthy. They also protect us from various vascular and heart diseases and can prevent the development of depression. Oranges love the sun and for this reason, they are mainly grown where it is warm and sunny, such as in Mexico, the USA, or Brazil.

Use of oranges in the home

The orange can help us not only with our health but especially with the immune system. She can also help us with many daily things in the household. The peel of the fruit can be used to remove stubborn dirt in the bathroom, for example on the sink or shower fittings. A nice side effect is that the soothing scent of the oranges spreads.

Remove stains with orange peel

In addition, stains on clothing can be removed with the help of the orange peel. This effective cleaning of various objects in the household is made possible by the acid found in oranges. The bowls can also be used to ward off vermin by placing them in a small sack between the clothes in the closet.

The scientific name for alcohol is ethanol. In most cases, however, ethanol is colloquially referred to as alcohol. The term spiritus is also common. However, this is not drinkable alcohol. The spirit can be used in the household as a solvent and cleaning agent as well as for disinfection. This means it has a wide range of applications.

For example, yellowed porcelain, such as cups, can be cleaned properly with a 1:1 mixture of spirit and water using a cotton swab. Alcohol-soluble adhesives can even be removed from the carpet with the help of spirit. Window panes can also be easily cleaned with a dash of spirit in water. And the price tags on things that you would like to give away can also be easily removed with alcohol.

Use of alcohol in the home

The good housewife should always have some alcohol in the house because it has very practical effects and areas of application. First of all, drinking alcohol is of course very popular. A beer after work usually does no harm if it is accompanied by a decent meal. The alcohol content in the beer is also not particularly high, so a bottle or two in the evening should not be a problem. They usually have a calming, relaxing effect and let the man sleep well.

But drinking alcohol with a higher percentage also has its right to exist in a well-run household if you don’t overdo it with consumption. A bitter is not reprehensible and sometimes after a shock, a grain of corn helps to get back to earth. Just because you occasionally consume alcohol doesn’t mean you become addicted to alcohol. But you should always be aware of the danger. Since alcohol is also dangerous for children, after all, it is an addictive substance, albeit a legal one, it should always be stored in such a way that children cannot touch it.

The onion has become an integral part of the kitchens of the world. Their areas of application are diverse. Depending on the recipe, either their spiciness when uncooked or their subtle sweetness, glazed or boiled down, is used. When fried, it gives off finely tart roasted aromas, which also combine with the sweet note.

The versatile onion

Onions can be grown in almost every federal state in Germany without any problems. In addition to the large white vegetable onion, which is ideal for cooking, the leek or spring onion is wonderful in cold dishes such as salads, dips, or spreads. The related shallot is smaller and has a slightly purple hue, its pungency is milder than that of the onion. It can be enjoyed both warm and cold.

Use of onions in the home

Onions are wonderful home remedies. If you have an earache, place a halved onion on the affected ear. For a sore throat, put finely chopped onion pieces in honey, leave them overnight and drink the resulting juice over the next day.

But in addition to the culinary and medicinal side, the onion gives even more. She is also a true household helper. If you have a piece of onion leftover that was not needed when cooking, you can use it to remove limescale from the sink fittings. To do this, rub the appropriate areas firmly with the piece of onion so that the onion juice can soak the traces of lime. After waiting a moment, the fitting can be polished with a cloth.

But the onion also shows its versatility as a furniture polish. Ideally, you should cut the onion in half lengthwise at one end and rub the cut surface over the wood to be worked. If the trace becomes drier, cut it again extremely finely, just far enough for a new juice to emerge. If you do this, one onion goes a long way and is enough to polish an entire closet.

Cut onions without tears

When you cut onions, your eyes usually water a lot because the onions fend off the attacker. The onion acid stings the eyes. A good trick is to simply fill your mouth with water while chopping onions. As a result, the eyes tear significantly less.

Sport in winter is not just about skiing or tobogganing. Jogging, walking or cycling can also be fun in winter – of course only if it’s not slippery. Anyone who moves outside in the cold is doing something for their health, because sport in winter strengthens the immune system.

Sports in winter: Wrap up warm and slowly adjust to the temperatures

Unlike heat, the body can prepare itself for cold temperatures. Proper clothing and proper preparation for outdoor training is crucial. But up to what temperatures can you train?

According to the expert, the temperature up to which training outdoors still makes sense depends on the state of fitness and health. The lower the temperature, the harder the sport is for the body. For older and unfit people, Matzarakis recommends avoiding exercise in sub-zero temperatures.

Training in winter: how cold is too cold?

Because the following also applies to physically fit athletes: If the temperature is below minus 20 degrees Celsius, jogging and playing football outside should be a thing of the past.

According to the rules of the International Biathlon Union (IBU), which also apply to other sports, competitions may not be started. If it is colder than minus 15 degrees, wind chill and humidity must be taken into account.

When the air is still, caused by high humidity and fog, pollutants such as dust particles, nitrogen oxides or sulfur can accumulate on the ground. These can lead to additional strain on the respiratory tract. “If you’re not fit, you should leave the sport outside,” continues Matzarakis. This is especially true for asthmatics and people with poor health.

Strong Immune System: Hardening up is good for fitness

Sauna, foot baths or walks in the fresh air: from the point of view of the medical meteorologist, hardening is important for fitness. Sport should be done in the sun during the day if possible in winter. Sport should be avoided when the temperature is too low, the wind is too strong and the humidity is too high.

As long as it’s not snowing excessively or dangerously slippery, exercising in freezing temperatures can strengthen both body and mind. For example, the immune system can be strengthened and physical well-being can also increase.

Especially in times of the corona pandemic, outdoor sports can help to increase physical activity – and also lead to a better mood.

Reduce the risk of catching a cold and improve your mood

Cold viruses have a harder time spreading. Because: The cold air when running moistens the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. In addition, the immune system is stimulated by movement and changing temperatures.

In winter, many people suffer from winter depression or at least a low mood due to the cold and gloomy season. Exercise can play an important role in fighting depression, the Journal of Sports Medicine points out.
The movement creates positive feelings and a better mood.

Prevent venous insufficiency and strengthen bones

Heating air and tight boots can congest blood in the veins in winter, which is why doctors recommend exercise in the fresh air during the cold months. Above all, running is healthy: Sport activates blood flow in the legs and prevents swelling and tingling.

You can also fill up on vitamin D when exercising in daylight. This is especially important in the dark winter months. This can supplement the storage that healthy people have built up in summer with the help of the sun’s UV light. In general, sports like running, where the body supports its own weight, are good for the bones.

Experts recommend a certain number of steps per day to keep fit and prevent diseases caused by lack of exercise. Are you sticking to this step goal?

Laziness can make you ill – this is why daily exercise is important

Adult diabetes, heart attack, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis – these are all diseases whose risk of contracting increases due to prolonged lack of exercise. Experts, including the North Rhine Medical Association, therefore recommend a step goal of 10,000 steps a day. In order to be able to better understand the steps, mobile phones now have a pedometer function. Other possibilities are fitness trackers, or you can estimate the number of steps.

However, there are also opinions that set the daily step goal a little lower. Often, instead of 10,000 steps, you hear 8,000 or 6,000 to do something good for yourself. Researchers put 6,000 steps as the minimum for walking to have a positive effect on health. Exceeding the guideline is absolutely harmless, since the human body can cover about 20 kilometers a day without any problems.

According to a Stanford study that evaluated data from pedometers worldwide, around 4900 steps a day is the average value. At 5200, Germany is slightly above the average, while Hong Kong citizens are at the top of the world rankings with an average of 6880 steps per day.

Wrap up warm and run? For many, running in the winter season can be the perfect balance to a cozy evening on the couch. In order to prepare the body for the icy temperatures and to be able to take advantage of winter sports, however, a few aspects should be considered.

Jogging in winter: Is it actually healthy to go running in cold temperatures?

In principle, outdoor sports are possible, dressed warmly – as long as it is not snowing excessively or is dangerously slippery. The dangers of the icy cold, pollutants in the air and your own physical limits should not be neglected.

However, regular jogging in the fresh air that is not too cold also has advantages. Sport in winter keeps you fit and healthy: According to the expert, hardening through exercise in the open air should be good for your fitness. In addition, the immune system can be strengthened through sport in cold temperatures and well-being can be increased.

You should keep this in mind when jogging in winter

Regular running can also be the ideal balance to the stressful everyday life in winter. Exercise in the fresh air is good and if you then choose a route that is not totally overcrowded, then you can also relax wonderfully while working out. We have tips for you on what is most important when exercising outside.

You should consider the following aspects if you want to be optimally prepared for running in winter:
Warm up well. In cold temperatures, your muscles take longer to work well. So warm up extensively.
Even in winter, drink enough water. In the cold, we usually feel less thirsty and the body does not have to be cooled down as much when moving. Despite this, moisture evaporates – this should not be neglected.
Wear the right running clothes. The layers of clothing and wearing functional materials are the be-all and end-all of winter sports. Layered clothing keeps you adequately warm and insulated, while functional clothing ensures optimal moisture management. Since a lot of body temperature is lost through your head, you should also wear a hat or headband.
Wear the right running shoes. It is best to get models that are suitable for smooth surfaces when jogging in mud and snow. Running shoes should also keep your feet warm.
Adjust step technique: In winter, the ground can be a bit slippery. That’s why it helps to take smaller, flatter, and more sensitive steps. This reduces the risk of slipping.
Start slow and stop slow. A light jog at the beginning and end of the jogging session helps to warm up and cool down the body. Incidentally, this not only helps the circulatory system in winter.

Then you should avoid running in the cold outdoors

If the outside temperature is too cold, outdoor sports should be avoided. According to expert Andreas Matzarakis, the temperature at which you should stop jogging depends on your fitness and health. For older and untrained people, he recommends avoiding sports at temperatures below zero degrees Celsius. And the following also applies to physically very fit people: You should stop jogging when the outside temperature is below minus 20 degrees Celsius.

When people want to lose weight, many go on a diet. And there are quite a few of them. But do the diets actually live up to their promises? Do we actually get slim with the help of a diet?

What does a diet actually do to the body?

When dieting, food intake is drastically restricted. This has consequences: How does our body react due to evolution? Unfazed by the currently popular ideal of beauty, he interprets a falling calorie intake as an emergency: red alert. He initiates three emergency measures. First: He throttles his metabolism. Energy consumption is on the back burner. Secondly: From now on, even the smallest food intake is exhausted to the last, so as not to waste any of the calories that have become scarce. Third: The desire to eat increases. Sure: We should kindly take care of compensating for the loss. One reason diet junkies are all about food.

Consequence: yo-yo effect

So that we don’t misunderstand each other. With a one-sided diet, you always lose weight. But the main goal of my participants in the “Moves” course is different: lose weight and then hold it, hold it, hold it. Why can’t the body stabilize the new weight on a long-term diet? Quite simply: losing weight is undesirable by nature. Our body can get by with less energy over a longer period of time and thus lose a significant amount of weight. But this loss is usually at the expense of fat-burning muscle mass. The rest is water and a little bit of fat. The body tries to quickly replenish the lost energy after the diet and maintains its optimized utilization strategy for food long after the prescribed lean diet – with wise foresight so that there are sufficient reserves in the stomach, legs and hips in the event of the next drastic famine. The internal regulation is also set in such a way that at least the starting weight is reached again. This model has the beautiful name “Jo-Jo-Effect” and means “diet makes you fat”.

boost metabolism

“Eat regularly throughout the day, and if you can manage it, eat the right thing.” At the latest with this tip, most people who want to lose weight rebel. You’re struggling with a lean diet and now you have to hear that your metabolism would be really happy if it got a little more. Especially people who tend to be overweight often do not eat as much as they are told. On the contrary: they often eat less for days than would correspond to their energy requirements. The strategy: Small or big sins at the weekend or at celebrations should be compensated for by meager menus. But are these “sins” really compensated by eating less? Obviously not, otherwise most of the population would be slim.

store fat? Not necessary!

Incidentally, a “naturally slim person” with an increased metabolism often tends to such a meal frequency fully automatically. Over time, the body learns that with regular intake, excess calories can simply be excreted and do not have to be stored in the fat cells. Four to five smaller meals every three hours show the organism that it is regularly receiving energy in the form of food. So there’s no compelling reason to stock up on fat. Eating five meals a day is one of the biggest metabolic boosters in body reshaping. However, regular strength training is required. If the exercise and sport part is rather low, a three-time meal intake is recommended.