The SALT of the Earth

 SALT - we use it everyday.  Most of us think about it as a way to season up the taste of our food.  I know many have to be careful using salt due to blood pressure.  I am a salt nut!  I salt everything.  LOL

Salt comes from deep in the earth and has taken an eternity to form.  It has been used forever as a food preservative.  That was one tried and true means of keeping meats and veggies over the winter and for long periods of time when there was not refrigeration.

Salt can be added to about any type of veggie and fermented for later use.  Kraut is basically salt and cabbage - you can do about anything this way!

There are all types of salt.  Kosher, canning, sea, black, pink Himalayan, gray, iodized..........  

Don't forget Epson salt.  Not used for eating - but still good to have around.

Epsom salt is mainly magnesium sulfate - where regular salt is mainly sodium chloride.  Epsom salt is great for relieving sore and achy muscles.  It helps in relaxation in a nice warm bath.  IF one would taste Epsom salt it is very bitter - salt is not.

Epsom is also good for gardens! 

As for regular salt - there are many, many uses for it!  It aint just for seasoning any more!!!

• Tea stained cups can be rubbed a little salt and water - to help remove stains - then wash
• A sticky boil over mess in the oven?  Sprinkle it with salt - let it set until it becomes crispy and then lift out with a spatula
• Pour 1/4 cup each of salt, baking soda and dish soap into your garbage disposal.  Turn on hot water and then run the disposal for a few seconds.  It clears debris and cleans blades
• Clean a wooden cutting board with soap and a little water.  Follow up with wiping it down with a damp cloth dipped in salt.  It will look nice a bright. (Don't use meat on a wooden board)
• Red wine spill - blot all you can then sprinkle with salt.  Let it set for at least 15 minutes.  It should absorb the remainder of stain
• Have a greasy mess on the stove?  Throw salt over it and let it set for a few - makes it so much easier to clean up
• Throw an occasional hand full of salt in the fireplace!  It helps loosen up the soot in the chimney.  It also makes cheery bright colored yellow flames!
• Put a 1/2 cup of salt in the wash cycle to prevent color from bleeding or running. (Good to use on new purchases or freshly dyed items)
• Has your iron gotten sticky or rough?  Run a warm iron over salt on a piece of paper - clean!
• Help oily skin - fill a spray bottle with tepid water and a 1 tsp. salt and spray your face. (eyes closed) and then blot dry.
• Warm water and salt - use as a gargle to freshen breath and to relieve sore throat pain
• Relieve the itch of a mosquito bite or sting with a bit of salt water.    Soak the spot or make a paste and apply.
• Toothache - mix 4 ounces of warm water with 2 Tbsp. vinegar and 1 Tbsp. salt to relieve pain temporarily
• Mix hot water and salt to kill weeds.  Best  to use - quart water, 2 Tbsp. (or more) salt and 5 Tbsp. vinegar.  Pour right on weeds. (be careful of things growing you want to keep)
• Kill slugs - relinquishes them to a state of ooze!
• Sprinkle your carpets with salt in you feel you have flea eggs.   Let it stand a few hours and vacuum.  Empty vacuum.  
• Mix 2 cups of water with 2 Tbsp. of salt - use a sponge to wipe down your car windows with the solution the evening before frost.  Helps keep the windows clear!
• I have even (out of desperation) used table salt in icy steps to melt ice (that isn't recommended - but in an emergency it works)
• Fun for kids!!!

Salt Dough  (like molding clay)

1 C salt

4 C all purpose flour

1 1/2 C warm water

** 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil**

Mix salt and flout together in bowl, ass water and knead and roll out like cookie dough.  Add a little flout if dough is too sticky.

**add oil if you intend to store and use at a later date.

Look around for different kinds of salt - they do taste differently.  Some are mild, some are smoky, but they are all good.  A lot of ethnic stores and specialty shops have different types.

You can find salt from very fine and granular to chunky.  The chunkier ones can be used in a grinder.  Kosher salt and some pink salts are quite chunky.

I like to keep several different types around.

I also like to make my own salt mixes - herbs from the garden and salt - you can make any blend you want (with as little salt as you want).

So do a bit of reading and investigating and see what all there is out there.  So many uses for something that costs virtually nothing!

ENJOY