Friday, November 25, 2011

Let's Talk Potatoes...!


I know, I know! The day after one of the biggest meals you've eaten all year and the Hermit wants to talk about food!

I realize it seems a little crazy, but this article might provide some useful information! I have to admit that there were a few things I found while studying about the spud I didn't know. Seems like I learn something new nearly every day...and I love that!

Here are just a few of the unusual uses for the potato!

Remove a broken light bulb from its socket safely. Just cut a thick slice from one end of a large, raw potato and press the cut surface of the remaining potato into the jagged glass. Twist to unscrew and toss into the trash, potato and all. (Probably a good idea to make sure the socket is switched off).

Remove excess salt from a soup or stew. Just cut up a raw potato or two and add to the broth.

Reduce puffy under-eyes. Lay a slice of raw potato over each eye and lie back for a few minutes.

Remove stains on clothing, carpets, upholstery. Grate a couple of raw potatoes into a cup or two of water and allow to soak. Squeeze out the potato shreds and daub the water on the stain. Alternatively, try rubbing the stain with the cut edge of a raw potato.

Remove stains on hands that come from working with berries, beets and other plant materials. Just rub hands with the cut surfaces of a raw potato.

Hold decorative arrangements (flowers, branches) in place. Poke holes in a large potato set at the bottom of a bowl and arrange your flowers, herbs or branches in the holes to keep them in place. Add water if needed.

Remove tarnish from silverware and other items by soaking them in potato water (left after boiling potatoes). Of course, if you don’t have any tarnish to remove, add the potato water to a soup stock. (Or soak your feet in it. Many swear by this folk remedy for tired, aching feet.)

I got this information from the pages of the Old Farmer's Almanac and wanted to share it with you, food related or not! You can read the whole article if you want right here!

If you want some really interesting reading, I suggest you drop by the Almanac at one of the above links and read the complete article! There is just no way I can do it justice here today. OK?

Let's have our coffee at the kitchen table this morning. It's still a little chilly outside!

13 comments:

Caddie said...

Great points, Hermit, most of which I didn't know about. Let's not forget the use of potato as basis for a Sourdough Bread Starter either. Fantastic bread. Potato, a fantastic food.

Yet just today a news item reads of how Irish folks are losing their taste for potatoes, preferring pasta and rice these days, all because of the time it takes to fix potatoes. Bah! nothing compares to potatoes in my opinion. A good hot potato soup with a chunk of delicious cornbread on a cold winter's day can't be beaten!

Momlady said...

You just have to love potatoes. They're so versatile!

Ben in Texas said...

Well, take 'em anyway I can get em., baked, fried, mashed, potato salad, pancakes, hashbrowns, soup, boiled with leeks or onion.
Love em!!!
On occasion my meal will be a big ole baked loaded up with chili , onions, cheese, mushrooms and what ever else strikes my fancy.

Sixbears said...

Don't forget their use in the ever popular potato cannon.

JoJo said...

I didn't know about all these used.
Thank you. Instead of buying those expensive stain removers that really don't work I will try this potato thing.

I'm ready for a refill myself. Please

Dizzy-Dick said...

Didn't have a huge meal yesterday, but ate enough and actually had a little potato with my chicken tenderloins and onion.

HermitJim said...

Hey Sissy...
Just have to love that potato soup! And, of course, the cornbread!

Seems like a lot of us have the same taste!

Thanks for coming by this morning!


Hey Momlady...
They sure can be fixed in a lot of ways!

Good for losing weight, too!

Thanks, my friend, for coming by today!


Hey Ben...
Sounds about like me, buddy! Hard to go wrong!

You have a good day! Thanks for coming by today!


Hey Sixbears...
The article did indeed mention the spuds usefulness as a weapon!

It would hurt to get hit in the head with one!

Thanks for dropping by today!


Hey JoJo...
Always fun to learn something new from time to time, isn't it?

Thanks, sweetie, for coming by today!

HermitJim said...

Hey Dizzy...
At least you didn't over eat!

I really like potatoes with everything! Just a country boy, I reckon!

Glad you had a good day! Thanks for coming over this morning!

MamaHen said...

A slice of potato will also draw a splinter out that is buried deeply. Just have to tape it in place overnight. I have also heard grated potatoes make a healing compress for your eyes if you burn them arc welding but fortunately, I've never had to try that one.

TROUBLEnTX said...

Nothing like potoao soup, cooked with an onion, when you've been sick, and can't eat anything. Always sits good on your stomach.

HermitJim said...

Hey ER...
We used to use the slice of potato on a "risin" or boil to draw the core out!

Stands to reason it would work for a splinter as well!

Hopefully you'll never have to test the treatment for injured eyes!

Thanks, pretty lady, for coming by today!


Hey Trouble...
Never met too may folks from Texas that didn't like potato soup!

Good for what ails ya!

Thanks for the visit today!

HoboJoe said...

My grandpa used to make some strong moonshine from potatoes, least that's what I heard. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving Hermit!

linda m said...

Very interesting article - a couple of things I knew about, a couple I didn't. You gotta love potato soup on a cold and snowy Wisconsin winters night. :)