Home made Mod Podge

 

Searching for small home project ideas, I very often stumble upon decoupage project. I like them a lot. But then, reading more and more about them, I noticed that for many of them I would need a Mod Podge. Since I cannot find it in my country, I started to search for alternatives.  Most probably there is something similar to Mod Podge even in my place, but I prefer to try with one of the recipes for a home made glue, that should do the job.

So, this is what I found:

Alternative 1

Mix 1 cup of white glue with 1/3 cup water. Add 2 tablespoons of varnish for gloss finish. Keep in a container with a tightly sealed screw on lid. Use for decoupage projects.

Alternative 1

You will need:

1/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. non-self rising flour

1 c. water

1/4 tablespoon oil

On a medium heat, in a medium size pan mix together 1/4 c. sugar, 1/4 c. non-self rising flour, gradually adding water, stirring vigorously to break up lumps.
Boil until clear and smooth, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.
Add remaining water and oil.  Stir until thoroughly mixed.  Put into container with screw on lid.

Alternative 3

Mod Podge in a Pint Jar (matte)

Source

 

Fill jar half way up with white glue (like Elmers)

Then fill jar up with water.

Shake Well.

This is a 50-50 mixture glue/water.

It will have a Matte finish.

If you would like a Glossy finish, add 1 TBS of clear varnish.

Shake it!

 

 

 

Blogger Labels: Mod Podge,Home,ideas,Alternative,mixture,recipes,decoupage

Herb remedies from Granma's book

 

Did your grandma have any unusual home remedies?

It seems like every grandma has one or two unique home remedies that they pass on from generation to generation.

In the good old days people used to rely on time tested remedies, a do it yourself cures.

Here are some of them:

 

Do you feel you are getting sick? Then, you need salty water!

Salty water soothes the inflamed throat, and irritations caused by bacteria and allergens quickly disappear. Gargling salty water three times a day reduces respiratory infection.

 

Stomach cramps? Drink chamomile tea!

Chamomile contains glycine, which reduces the contractions in the lower intestines.

 

Bad breath? Try parsley!

Parsley successfully destroys bacteria that cause bad breath.

Reduce swelling and inflammation with cabbage leaves

Even doctors recommend cabbage leaves for swelling and inflammation. Press directly secure with a bandage. Hold during night.

 

Cracked lips? Healed them with honey

Moisten your lips with warm water, put a small layer of honey and wait some time to dry. Apply paraffin wax and leave for 15 minutes. Remove with cotton you've dipped in hot water. Repeat this every day, for several weeks ...

Food E Numbers to Avoid

When you go shopping, especially food shopping, do you read food labels? Are you interested what’s in it? And more important – do you understand all those words and abbreviations?

I am one of those people who never, or, rarely reads food labels. Or, better say - I used to be. After stumbling upon several articles about food additives, emulsions and food colours, I realized that the more I learn about this, the more concerned I get.

And, of course, I even found some EU Regulations on labeling food, in particular food dyes, that gives me reasons to start thinking that our health, and the health of our children is at stake.

Food additives are substances added intentionally to foodstuffs to perform certain technological functions, for example to colour, to sweeten or to help preserve foods. All food additives are identified by an E number.

E100 - E199 Colours

Colours are one of the more controversial E number categories, as there has been some research suggesting some of the artificial colours are responsible for causing hyperactivity in children. They also may cause asthma and cancer.

E200 - E299 Preservatives

E300 - E399 Antioxidants and Acidity Regulators

E400 - E499 Thickeners, Stabilisers and Emulsifiers

E500 - E599 Acidity Regulators and Anti-Caking Agents

E600 - E699 Flavour Enhancers

E900 - E999 Miscellaneous E Numbers

E1000 - E1999 Additional Chemicals

I tried to make a summary of my research and list the DANGEROUS and TOXIC E Numbers – Colours to AVOID!

So, here it is:

E Number	Name	Category	Side Effect	Where
E102 E103	Tartrazine alkanet, alkannin	Colour - Yellow and Orange	Forbidden in some parts of the western world! May increase hyperactivity in affected children. Asthmatics sometimes react badly. Take care if you are sensitive to Aspirin	Sweats, busicits
E123	Amaranth	Colour - Red	Very Dangerous May increase hyperactivity in affected children. Take care if you are sensitive to Aspirin. BANNED in some countries	cake mixes, fruit-flavoured fillings, jelly crystals
E129	Allura Red AC	Colour - Red	Avoid if you suffer from asthma, rhinitis (including hay fever) and urticaria (an allergic rash also known as hives	Widely used as food colouring, in snacks, sauces, preserves, soups, wine, cider etc.
E151	Brilliant Black BN	Colour – Black	People who suffer from allergic conditions, asthma, rhinitis, urticaria, etc. should avoid this substance	Widely used in drinks, sauces, snacks, wines, cheese etc

You can read more about this here, and here

 
Photo Courtesy SlashFood.com

Good Appetite!