This is a simple way to make ice packs for the freezer that will never harden but gets very very cold. It is the simple formula of 3 part water to 1 part rubbing alcohol. In a gallon bag you would put 1 cup rubbing alcohol to three cups water in a quart bag you would add 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol to 1 1/2 cups water. Double bag! When you use it for one application wash the outside bag or remove and replace it so it is always cold. The rubbing alcohol will keep the water from freezing which makes this ice pack palatable to mold over your body. Keep more than one in the freezer so you can alternate. Replace water/alcohol mixture minimally once a year.
Category Archives: ~Home Remedy
20 Uses For Sea Salt
Sea salt is kind of pretentious because it’s better than all other salts. If salts were fonts, sea salt would be Helvetica and table salt would be Old English (can you say douchebag?). There isn’t much of a difference, but sea salt is a more natural substance that comes from the sea (duh) rather than the ground, with minimal processing before it hits store shelves. It is made of bigger chunks, meaning it tastes better (and you can use less) and is great for non-food uses, such as cleaning and beauty. Not only do I sprinkle sea salt on baked goods, but I’ve also used it to clean my oven and added it to a homemade body scrub.
Here are my top 20 uses for sea salt.
1. Calm psoriasis and skin inflammation in a sea salt bath or body scrub.
2. After a workout, add to a warm bath to soothe muscles and aches.
3. Add to a facial or skin scrub to slough away dead skin and improve its tone.
4. Sprinkle on baked goods (brownie bites or any other chocolate dessert are a fave) for a light contrast of sweet and salty flavors.
5. Sprinkle on thick meat filets to enhance the flavor and absorption of your marinade.
6. Sprinkle on sliced cucumbers for a fresh, crunchy summer snack. Then dip them in ranch dressing, duh!
7. Add to water when making hardboiled eggs to make them easier to peel (although I prefer the oven method, this still works great).
8. Mix with cinnamon for an easy, natural oven cleaning scrub.
9. Mix with soda water for a refrigerator cleaner.
10. Mix with turpentine for a bathroom and shower cleaner.
11. Relieve a sore throat by gargling sea salt with warm water.
12. Heal fresh body piercings with a warm water and sea salt solution.
13. Fade bruises by soaking a washcloth in a sea salt and warm water solution and applying it to the bruise for a minute or two.
14. Remove blood, red wine, and perspiration stains on clothes by scrubbing with sea salt and hot water.
15. Whiten your clothes by boiling them in water, baking soda, and sea salt for an hour. Follow up by washing them as normal.
16. Brighten your teeth by brushing them with one part sea salt and 2 parts baking soda.
17. Alleviate the pain of a bug bite or sting by soaking it in a warm water and sea salt solution.
18. Rinse your sinus cavities with sea salt and warm water in a Neti Pot.
19. Add one eighth of a teaspoon of a sea salt to a glass of water on really hot days to decrease dehydration.
20. Volumize your hair by mixing one part hair conditioner with one part sea salt, coating your strands with it, leaving it on for 20 minutes, and rinsing.
Twelve Surprising Uses for Vicks VapoRub

1. Decongest Your Chest
The most common use of Vicks is to decongest your chest and throat area. When applied to the upper chest, it provides excellent relief of cough and congestion symptoms.
2. On Your Tootsies
Applying Vicks to your feet provides nighttime cough relief. Generously rub VapoRub all over your feet and cover them with socks. Your cough will subside.
3. Achy Breaky Muscles
Vicks relieves sore, overworked muscles. It increases circulation and provides almost instant aid. Use a generous portion and apply it over the aching area.
4. Get Rid of Nasty Nail Fungus
Rub VapoRub on your toenails if you suspect you have a fungus. Within days, the nail will turn dark—this means the Vicks is killing the fungus. As your toenail grows out, the dark part will grow off and you will have fungus-free feet. Keep applying the ointment over a period of two weeks to fully cleanse nail beds of any remaining bacteria.
5. Stop Your Cat from Scratching
To prevent Miss Kitty from ruining your doors, walls, and windows, apply a small amount of VapoRub to these areas. Cats detest the smell and will steer clear. Vicks can also be applied to your arms and legs if your kitty is prone to scratching you.
6. Pet Pee-Pee Deterrent
If your dog or cat is not yet potty trained, put an open bottle of Vicks on the area he or she likes to mark as their territory. The smell will discourage them from lifting their legs and wetting your rug.
7. Headaches Be Gone
Rub a small amount of Vicks VapoRub on your temples and forehead to help relieve headaches. The mentholated scent will release pressure in your head and instantly relieve pain.
8. Humidify Your Sleep
Vicks VapoRub can be used in special types of humidifiers and vaporizers. Ensure your humidifier has an aromatherapy compartment before using. The humidifier will circulate Vicks throughout the air and keep you breathing easy all night long.
9. Paper Cuts and Splinters
To prevent infection and speed up healing time, dab a small amount of Vicks on any small cut or splinter.
10. Ticks and Bugs
If you get bitten by a tick, apply Vicks immediately. The strong odor might help get the critter to release itself and stop bugging you.
11. Reek-free Racehorses
Professional racers smother VapoRub under the nostrils of racehorses on race day. The strong stench deters the stallions from the alluring odor of the female pony and keeps them focused on the race.
12. Go Away Mosquitoes
Apply small dabs of Vicks VapoRub to your skin and clothes and mosquitoes will steer clear. If you do get bitten, apply Vicks to the area and cover it with a Band-Aid to relieve itching.
