Thursday, August 31, 2017

Dreaded Disease or Just Thirsty?

By: Cindy Gilbert | Dear Sister Knowitall, August 2017

Dear Sister Knowitall,
I’ve been having all these symptoms lately since the weather has gotten warmer. Someone told me to drink more water is that true? ~ Signed Waterworks Wilma
Dear Waterworks Wilma,
Our bodies are 60% water according to the USGS (Water Science School.) The brain and heart are comprised of 73% water. We have ample water in the U.S., yet we deprive ourselves. The old rule of drinking 8 glasses of water a day are gone. Your body needs half of your body weight in ounces of water every day. So if you weigh 130lbs you need to be drinking 65 oz. of water every day. 
If you workout and break a sweat you need to add an extra 8oz, drink a caffeinated or alcoholic beverage add an extra 8oz for every one you consume. Can you drink too much water? The answer is yes. If you drink so much that your urine is completely clear you need to slack off a bit. Your urine actually says a lot about your health. It should be slightly yellow. On the flip side if it is too dark you are dehydrated. How do you know if you are dehydrated? If you are thirsty it’s too late you are already dehydrated. Other symptoms may include:  
• Dry mouth
• Chapped lips
• Hangnails
• Brittle Nails
• Dry brittle hair
• Dry itchy skin
• Achy joints
• Muscle cramps
• Menstrual cramps
• Brain Fog
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Tired or sleepy
• Urine is low volume
• Headache
It almost sounds like a disease doesn’t it? Here are some tips to help you on your way.
1. Use a cup or bottle with a lid and keep it with you.
2. Get on that scale and tally up that water intake you need per day.
3. Fill up a pitcher with the correct ounces needed per day.
4. If you want filtered water think about buying a gallon instead of water bottles and pour into your own cup bottle. The environment will appreciate it.
5. A gallon of liquid is 128 fluid ounces. Measure it out 1 time.
6. Get a water reminder app on your phone. Or set an hourly reminder to drink water
7. Drink a glass in the am before you do anything else.
8. Keep a bottle by the bed at night
9. Add fruit infusions to make it flavorful
10. Try some of the new flavored sparkling waters to help curb your soda craving.
11. Eat fruits and veggies that are mostly water like watermelon or cucumber.

Cindy Pitts Gilbert is Director of Training for Know It Training for Professional and Personal Development in Gwinnett County. She is also the Home Remedy Guru of the Blog Sister Knowitall: sisterknowitall.blogspot.com. She has been learning natural home remedies after she developed allergic reactions to chemicals in household cleaning products.
Send your questions to: askme@sisterknowitall.com

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Sometimes You Have to Save the Pants

 by Cindy Pitts Gilbert, July Issue Gwinnett Citizen Magazine
Dear Sister Knowitall,
What is the difference between a Home Remedy and a Natural Remedy? Aren’t they the same thing?  Signed ~ Remedy Mom Newby

Dear Remedy Mom,
That is such a great question.  People ask me all the time do you have a home remedy for…   I often know a home remedy that isn’t necessarily natural, I prefer all the natural remedies of course, but let’s face it,  we don’t live in a natural world anymore so sometimes, on occasion I do share a home remedy  for a particular problem with the caveat that this is not a “natural” remedy.  Home remedy is simply using household products you are already using for another purpose.

Here is an example of what I mean.  A friend sent me a request recently for a home remedy to remove an ink stain from a pair of pants.  We know that ink isn’t a natural substance and trying to apply natural remedies may just lead to a lot of wasted time and frustration.

I  offered three suggestions starting with the unnatural remedy first, why well it is cheap and I know it works and doesn’t harm your clothes, however  this is not a natural remedy.  
You can remove pen ink from clothing with good ole hair spray.  Hair spray is not natural but will remove pen stains from fabric. Place a paper towel behind the stain on the underside of the fabric.  Surround the stain perimeter with water. This will help keep the stain from spreading.  Spray the fabric and wait 1 to 2 minutes then dab at the stain to remove. Some of the ink will pass into the paper towel. You may have to do this multiple times.  Ink is very stubborn.  The sooner you try to remove the easier it will come out.

I also recommended placing a sponge behind the stain and soak in a mixture of  hydrogen peroxide and baking soda which is a natural remedy. It also may not work if the stain has had time to set or in this case is Sharpie a permanent marker. Another helpful tip;  Do not put the fabric in the dryer or the stain will set.

The last remedy I recommended is a product called Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover, which the description reads;  is environmentally safe, non-toxic safe etc. It works amazing on stains of many kinds and doesn’t hurt fabric.
So to clarify, sometimes a remedy is a home remedy from a household product  that you already use and sometimes it is something created from nature like an essential oil, baking soda or vinegar.  I always prefer the natural remedy whenever possible but am realistic that the world we live in is not so natural and to save the pants the home remedy might be the wiser choice.
By: Cindy Gilbert | Sister Knowitall
Published: 2017-07-31 19:37
Date Modified: 2017-07-31 19:37