A Moment of Thought

10 More Household Uses for Vinegar

Here are ten more handy uses for vinegar in the home.

Vinegar is clearly one of the safest and most versatile household products on the planet:

1. Glass Cleaner

"My absolute favorite is using it to clean my windows," shares Adriana P.  "There is no window cleaner that can even compare." In addition to cleaning windows, vinegar is also great for cleaning other glassware, says Leanna S.: "Vase looking dingy? Put vinegar and uncooked rice in it and swish around. The rice is a natural abrasive...and the vinegar cleans it."

2. Itch Reliever 

Vinegar can provide relief from itchy insect bites, shares Sharleen S.: "I cover a fresh mosquito bite with it for about a minute and it takes the itchiness away.” And Ursala P. suggests that vinegar can also soothe skin that's been irritated by plants: "You can also use vinegar for the sting of bluebottles, hairy worms, plants that burn your skin."

3. Pet Deterrent 

In addition to eliminating pet odors, vinegar can deter your furry friends from gnawing on your lovely living room furniture. As Jo D. shares: "Vinegar and lemon in spray bottle keep pets from chewing furniture."

4. Anti-Fungal Agent

Several moms shared that vinegar can help banish various fungal problems. Ellen M. advises: "Vinegar can be used to kill toe fungi! Soak the foot in a pan of warm water and vinegar daily for several months. Works!" And Meredith B., who suffered from swimmer's ear, recalled: "The ENT suggested that after swimming I use a mixture that is half white vinegar and half rubbing alcohol and put it in my ear for a few seconds. The vinegar is an a anti-fungal and the alcohol kills germs. No problem since!” 

5. Hard Water Stains/Mineral Build-up Remover

There are many ways to use vinegar in the kitchen, including cleaning coffee pots and tea kettles. Catherine P. explains: "I usually use it [vinegar] to clean lime off my electric kettle; just add 20ml of vinegar to the kettle, fill it up with water and switch on the kettle, and ta-da! The lime is gone!"

6. Heartburn Reliever

Suffering from heartburn? Mellisa J. is one of many moms who recommend vinegar as a cure: "Vinegar works awesome for heart burn. It neutralizes the stomach acid. It's the best heartburn medication I've ever used!"

7. Gnat and Flea Catcher

Having a problem with gnats? "Put about 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar in a cup," advises Marci P. "Add a few drops of dish soap, and leave the cup sitting around. The gnats are attracted to the vinegar, and the dish soap will kill them.” A similar trick works for catching fleas, says Sue D., who suggests putting vinegar out in a white container: "Fleas are attracted to white, [so] use white foam plates and they will jump in there and drown. Also, you can spray it on carpets."

8. Ironing Aide

"I use plain white vinegar to set or remove creases in clothing," shares Angie G. "Just put some in a spritzer bottle, lightly spray the area, then press. It doesn't leave your clothes stiff like spray starch and the smell disappears with the steam. Works great!"

9. Ant Deterrent

If you're looking for a humane way to get rid of ants, Jena L. says vinegar will do the job: "I use vinegar to clean away ants. It may not kill the little buggers but it disrupts their sense of smell enough that they cannot find their needed foods and go away."

10. Hair Conditioner and Product Remover

Many moms also recommended using vinegar for various hair care needs. As Hari M. relays, “My hairdresser advised me to rinse my hair with a little white vinegar and water mixture to remove all of the remnants of hair products after washing it. I tried it and it renewed the shine in my hair, as well. Great advice.” And Cindy O. found apple cider vinegar was a great alternative to a cream rinse: "Mix 1 cup vinegar to a gallon of warm water and pour over your hair to detangle...works great!"

A Moment Of Thought

Music resounded, bouncing from one wall to another, 

“It’s so easy to fall in love”... 

and then,

I ask, if this is so, 

then why am  I the only one here?

Alone.  

Looking for inner peace.

It is so easy when I am with you, 

but what about when you are away,

what then?

Does one continue to search?

or

Do we grab hold of memories and 

hope that something will change?

Written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia
WWW.victoryp.com

Happy Birthday

 The secret to living a long healthy life? It really is quite simple; to eat, sleep and play healthy, live without stress, laugh often, and love always.  I wrote a poem for everyone who is getting up there in years, and having yet another birthday, do not worry, you are not getting old, you are simply mature.  My birthday was just last week, so I suppose this now applies to me as well!

Happy Birthday 

When you go to the drugstore, and the clerk is a gent.

From your purchase this chap, will take off ten percent.

You will ask for the cause of a lesser amount;

And he will say, "Because of the Seniors' Discount."

You can go to McDonald's for a burger and fries;

And there once again, get quite a surprise.

You can order a coffee and dance with glee, ‘cause

The clerk will say, "For you Seniors, the coffee is free."

Understand - You’re not old - You’re merely mature;

But some things are changing, temporarily, I'm sure.

The newspaper print gets smaller each day,

And people speak softer - can't hear what they say.

Your teeth are your own (You have the receipt),

And your glasses identify the people you meet.

Oh, you’ve slowed down a bit...not a lot, I am sure.

You see, you’re not old...you’re simply mature.

Your hair is changing, is it bleached by the sun?

You should see all the damage that chlorine has done.

Washing your hair daily has turned it all white,

But don't call it gray....saying "blond" is just right. 

Your car is all paid for...not a nickel is owed.

Yet some kids yell, "Old geezer...get off the road!"

Your car has no scratches...not even a dent,

Still, you get all this stuff from a punk who's "Hell bent."

Your friends all get older...much faster than you.

They seem much more wrinkled, so don’t feel so blue.

You've got "character lines" not wrinkles...for sure,

So we won’t call you old....just call you mature.

The steps in the houses you may visit today

Are so high that they take all your breath away;

And the streets are much steeper than ten years ago.

That should explain why your walking is slow.

But keep up with what's hip and get a new pole

I think you can still dance a mean rock and roll!

You’re still in the running...in this I'm secure,

You’re NOT REALLY OLD....You’re ONLY MATURE!

Happy  Birthday!!

Written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia and can be found in her new book, "Awakening Love".

www.victoryp.com

Rosario Stull - May she rest in peace.

The service and funeral for my godmother "Chayito" was very loving and serene.  She was a wonderful lady with exceptional qualities and led a full and happy life.  "Chayito" was 98 and died of a brain tumor.  She left our world to join her ex,  my mother, my Gabriel, my uncles and aunts, and all of our loved ones who are now enjoying a different life in heaven.  They may not be with us physically but they remain in our memory and in our hearts forever.   May they all rest in peace.

The dash


I wanted  to speak 
at the service, of my beloved godmother and  friend. 


Referring to the dates of her life, from the beginning...to the end. 


I noted that first came the date of her birth and the latter I said with tears, 


But wanting to stress what mattered the  most, was the dash between those years. 


For that dash represents all the time, that Chayito  spent alive on earth


And now only those who loved her, know what that little line’s worth. 


For it matters not, how much we own, the cars...the house...the cash, 


What matters is how we live and love; and how we spend our dash. 


Chayito taught us a lot through her life,

Living happy, loved and without strife.

So think about this long and hard; 
Are there things you’d like to change?


For you never know how much time is left,  that can still be rearranged.


If we could just slow down enough, to consider what’s true and real


And always try to understand, the way that other people feel. 


And be less quick to anger, showing appreciation more


And love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before. 


If we treat each other with respect, like Chayito did, and always wear a smile...


Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.


So when her eulogy’s being read with her life’s actions to rehash, 


I feel so  proud of the things they say about how she spent her dash.

Let us learn from our beloved Chayito, she was such a dear, although she is not with us now,  in our hearts she’ll always persevere.

Best Fruits For a Healthy Life / Lemonade Kiss

Instead of eating empty calories like a bag of M&M's, grab a nutritious snack.
Satisfy your sweet tooth and keep your blood sugar in check with the following fresh or frozen low-carb choices.


The key is to keep an eye on portion sizes and stay away from fruits canned in syrups or other types of added sugar. These fruits are all  Low Carb and Low Sugar, great for those of us with Diabetes, or anyone who just prefers to stay healthy!

Any kind of berries  3/4 cup = 62 calories & 16 grams of carbs.

                                              Antioxidants, Vitamins, Fiber

Cherries              12          = 59 calories & 14 grams of carbs. 

                                               Antioxidants, Fight heart desease & cancer 

Apricots             1          =  17 calories & 4 grams of carbohydrates

                                              Eat 4 for Vitamin A & Fiber

Apple  (small, size of fist) = 54 calories & 14 grams of carbohydrates  

                                             Vitamin C & Fiber

Orange             1          = 62 calories & 15 grams of carbohydrates

                                             Daily req. of Vitamin C & Potasium

Kiwi (one large size)         = 56 calories & 13 grams of carbs.

                                             Potasium, Fiber & Vitamin C

Peach              1 size of tennis ball = low carb, Vitamin A, C, Potasium and Fiber

Pear 1 size of your fist   = Low carb, Potasium and Fiber

Lemonade Kiss

What could be better than this?

Sitting on the bench

with a lemonade kiss!

Sailboats still

at a distance

with

waves caressing 

the soft white sand

and

swaying 

as if they were dancing

the way we do with the band.

I feel so blessed 

I feel in bliss

with you by my side,

and my lemonade kiss!

From the book "Awakening Love"

Written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia

www.victoryp.com

Good Morning!

If you're having trouble rising and shining, try these simple strategies to help you look and feel more awake and alert. 
Waking up doesn't have to be hard to do!
Whatever your reasons for not getting enough sleep — partying, studying, or dreaded insomnia — there are days when morning just comes way too early. But before you reach for a triple espresso (a recent study from the U.K. found that the buzz we get from caffeine may be more mental than chemical, anyway) try these tips (Given by Dr. Hirsch) for looking and feeling awake and refreshed:

 

* Give your skin a chill-hold a cold washcloth over your eyes-refreshes and          reduces swelling

*Pay extra attention to your eyes-use eye cream to keep them hydrated and wrinklefree

*Skip the salt-avoid salt as much as possible especially after 6pm to avoid bloating

*Bend over backwards-literally, bend backwards along the side of your bed getting heart higher than your head

*Wake up and Smell the citrus-and eat the orange too!  Certain scents stimulate the brain and can make you feel more awake and refreshed, says Alan Hirsch, M.D., founder and neurological director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation. Three that do the trick: jasmine, which increases beta waves (the brain waves associated with alertness), and citrus and peppermint scents, which induce wakefulness by stimulating the trigeminal nerve (the same nerve that's activated when you're revived with smelling salts). So peel and eat an orange for breakfast, deeply inhale as you drink a cup of peppermint tea, or lather up with a citrus-scented body wash in the shower.

*Wake up to fresh flowers- Keeping fresh flowers in your home can make you feel more energetic, enthusiastic, and happy at home and work.

and of course if all else fails, 

*Find the bright side-use highlighter/whitener under your eyes and eyebrows to hide the dark circles under your eyes

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * *

Good Morning

This  morning  when I awoke

And saw the sun above,

I softly said, “Good morning day”

The one I truly love.

Right away I thought of you 

And said a loving prayer,

hoping you would smile too

And keep you free from care.

I  thought of all the happiness 

A day could hold in store, 

I  wished  it all for you because 

No one deserves  it more. 

I felt so warm and good inside, 

My heart was all aglow.

I know someday you'll feel the same

because, happiness spreads, 

you know.

From the book "Awakening Love"

Written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia

www.victoryp.com

Smoothies

Tired of eggs and oatmeal for breakfast? Take a break from traditional morning meals and prepare a healthy, delicious smoothie. A smoothie is a blended beverage that is typically made with milk and/or yogurt and fruit . Smoothies are so easy to prepare they’re a great option if you’re pressed for time.

How to Prepare a Smoothie at Home

When preparing a smoothie at home, use a food processor or blender, which will give this tasty beverage a thick, milkshake-like consistency. There are a variety of ingredients you can use in your smoothie.  Here are some basic guidelines:

• Fat-free (skim) or 1% milk
• Nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt, including nonfat (0%) Greek yogurt
• Nuts or flaxseed
• Vanilla or almond extract
• Fresh or frozen fruit, such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, and one banana

How to Choose a Healthy Store-Bought Smoothie
While it’s best to prepare your smoothies at home (because you know they’ll contain only the healthiest ingredients), you can purchase smoothies in chain stores or grocery stores too, as long as you check the list of ingredients first. Be aware that some smoothie brands contain canned fruit with added sugars, sugary syrups, full-fat yogurt, whole milk, and/or ice cream, which may derail your weight-loss efforts.

Whether you prepare a smoothie at home or buy one, stick to a serving of 8 ounces — anything larger can affect your blood sugar and create cravings.

Smoothies

Some are too heavy.

Some are too weak.

Some are too bland.

Some are too bleak.

Some are too sour.

Some are too sweet.

Some are too loud.

Some are too meak.

Some don’t know the difference

from a day or a week.

But, the best one

is the one made for me

it is special, as you can see

The best one is YOU!

From the book, Awakening Love 

written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia

www.victoryp.com

Depression

Depression can leave you with little interest in anything. But sometimes when you’re feeling down, there’s no easier pick-me-up than a favorite movie. It might make you laugh, it might make you cry, but a classic feel-good flick will always leave you a little happier and may even put a smile on your face. So whether you’re looking for a romantic comedy, nostalgia, or pure escape, read the top 10 movies to watch when you’re feeling down. Grab the popcorn and dim the lights!


Love Actually-Romantic comedy about all types of love-lot of laughs
Its a Wonderful Life-one man's life touches many others
Tootsie-great comedy with lots of laughter
The Shawshank Redemption- there is a moment in everyone's life that can be appreciated
Babe-a reminder that the seemingly impossible is possible, and the value of pets
The Blind Side- heartwarming story of the value of generosity and believing in yourself
Up-comedy to help you get in touch with your inner child-lots of laughs
Under The Tuscan Sun-Scenic delights of Italy; If you make room for what you want in life, your wishes may come true in unexpected ways
The Sound of Music-Listening to music has been shown to ease symptoms of depression, relieve stress, and calm the heart rate.  This is guaranteed to lift your spirits!
Breaking Away- on the value of trusting and, above all, never giving up.

Alone in My Thoughts

Alone in my thoughts

I sit missing you dear

What I would give to have you near

My eyes are without that glistening glow

The one from your love, the one you that you know

(The one that lights up when you love me so.)

Alone in my thoughts

where are you my dear

to have and to hold 

close to me here

Swirls of moonlight dance in my head,

your movement your touch, such a wonderful thread,

the image I perceive is without form 

yet fills my heart now all forlorn

Alone in my thoughts 

my heart awaits

for strings of love

to touch my fate

Among the visions of you and me

I struggle with uncertainty

why I feel lost like a child in the night

and I have this need to hold you tight

I dream of such things, which touch my soul 

and wonder what’s missing to make me whole.

Alone in my thoughts....

From Lost and Found: Love, a book of love poems

Written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia

Order your copy from www.victoryp.com