1. To remove a bandage painlessly, saturate the bandage with vodka. The solvent dissolves adhesive.
2. To clean the caulking around bathtubs and showers, fill a trigger-spray bottle with vodka, spray the caulking, let set five minutes and wash clean. The alcohol in the vodka kills mold and mildew.

3. To clean your eyeglasses, simply wipe the lenses with a soft, clean cloth dampened with vodka. The alcohol in the vodka cleans the glass and kills germs.

4. Prolong the life of razors by filling a cup with vodka and letting your safety razor blade soak in the alcohol after shaving. The vodka disinfects the blade and prevents rusting.

5. Using a cotton ball, apply vodka to your face as an astringent to cleanse the skin and tighten pores.

6. Add a jigger of vodka to a 12-ounce bottle of shampoo. The alcohol cleanses the scalp, removes toxins from hair, and stimulates the growth of healthy hair.

7. Pour one-half cup vodka and one-half cup water in a Ziploc freezer bag and freeze for a slushy, refreshable ice pack for aches, pain or black eyes – or just drink it, that helps with pain too!

8. Fill a clean, used mayonnaise jar with freshly packed lavender flowers, fill the jar with vodka, seal the lid tightly and set in the sun for three days. Strain liquid through a coffee filter, then apply the tincture to aches and pains – or again, just drink it.

9. To relieve a fever, use a washcloth to rub vodka on your chest and back as a liniment.

10. To cure foot odor, wash your feet with vodka.

11. Vodka will disinfect and alleviate a jellyfish sting.

12. Pour vodka over an area affected with poison ivy to remove the urushiol oil from your skin.

13. Swish a shot of vodka over an aching tooth and allow your gums to absorb some of the alcohol to numb the pain.

Most of us only drink it thereby missing out in its full potential. But that’s a good use too!

While I was perusing one of those “list-what’s-in-your-fridge-and-we’ll-find-you-a-recipe” sites (like www.myfridgefood.com) the other day I entered the meager supplies I had on hand and didn’t get past the first response: Beer Bread. A)  I had all the ingredients and B) it was a recipe title that described two of my all-time favorite things (favorite foods, yes, favorite things, yes).

Super-duper easy and deliciouso!

Cook time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
3 cups flour
3 teaspoons of baking powder
2 1/4 teaspoons of salt
1 can of beer/16 oz.
1 tablespoon of honey (I used sage flavored honey, but any will do)

Actions:
Grease a loaf pan and preheat the oven to 350°F
Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and beer in a large bowl and mix until smooth.
Fold in the honey (room temperature or slightly warm honey makes this easier).
Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.
Serve with butter, honey and your favorite ale — enjoy!