"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly" ~ Unknown

 

I haven't posted in awhile because I was out of town for the holidays and when I returned home I immediately became ill with a bad bout of bronchitis.  I had a flu shot at the end of November but evidently it doesn't prevent bronchitis!

 

If you choose not to get a flu shot, there are many things you can do to prevent becoming ill this winter.  People are remiss about washing their hands everytime they use a bathroom, after they travel on public transportation, use an ATM, or use a shopping cart.   And, needless to say, cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze!

 

NSF International, the Public Health and Safety Company, found that the germiest spots in our homes are the kitchen sponge, the kitchen sink, and toothbrush holders.  The kitchen harbors so many germs which we can reduce by diligent cleaning. Kitchen sponges, brushes, towels, and cutting boards are major culprits in hiding nasty germs. In addition to thorough washing in a dishwasher, I zap my sponges in the microwave for two minutes.

 

"To disinfect and clean your wood cutting board or butcher block countertop, wipe them with full-strength white vinegar after each use. The acetic acid in the vinegar is a good disinfectant, effective against such harmful bugs as E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus. Never use water and dishwashing detergent, because it can weaken surface wood fibers. When your wooden cutting surface needs deodorizing as well as disinfecting, spread some baking soda over it and then spray on undiluted white vinegar. Let it foam and bubble for five to ten minutes, then rinse with a cloth dipped in clean cold water."  http://www.rd.com/food/6-effective-ways-to-clean-cutting-boards/.

 

White vinegar is an effective cleaner for kitchen sinks and garbage disposals.  In additional to other cleaning uses with vinegar, this website recommends that you pour one cup of vinegar in a sink or garbage disposal for one hour or more to remove odors:    http://www.thenewhomemaker.com/vinegar.  We also need to be diligent in cleaning refrigerator, oven, and microwave handles.

 

By all means, clean your computer keyboard, your smartphone, your telephone ... and wash your hands!  Stay well .... ♥

 

 



Germs!  They're everywhere, they're everywhere!  I have had a relapse of the bad cold virus I had a few weeks ago which has led me to think of all the places where we are exposed to germs.  The gym (probably one of the easiest places to pick them up -- from weights, mats, bikes, any exercise equipment), the ATM, money, public restrooms (why do so few people wash their hands?), doorknobs (I recall that Howard Hughes was paranoid about putting his hands on a doorknob after washing them), computer mouse and keyboard, escalators, all forms of public transportation, shopping carts (I always wipe the handle before using), and especially in our own kitchens.

Garbage disposals harbor germs and bacteria, thus I often pour hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, or baking soda in the disposal and let it sit for awhile.    And sponges are the biggest culprits of harboring germs!  WebMD states that kitchen sponges are the number 1 source of germs in the whole house.  I usually replace sponges every couple of weeks.  To kill possible bacteria in the sponge in between replacement, I slightly wet the sponge, place it on top of a paper towel, and microwave it for 2 minutes.  Stay germ-free and stay well. ♥