Monday, August 5, 2013

How to Make Sassy Water and Other Cucumber Uses

Of all the vegetables I’ve attempted to grow, it appears I have the best luck with cucumbers. That’s a good thing, because during the summer, I put them to very good use.
One day pickings from my one cucumber vine

A couple of years ago I discovered the health benefits of Sassy Water, which I posted about hereCucumber, lemon, mint on a summer day. What could be more refreshing? And what’s not to like about these three healthful items added to our daily quota of water?

Sassy Water - Cucumber, lemon and mint added to a pitcher of ice and water, Keep in the refrigerator and drink throughout the day.


Mint, as you may know, is one of those invasive plants that will overtake an entire bed, which it has done here.

Today I ran across an article on Facts Gallery, an education website, that extols the many benefits of the lowly cucumber. The article is printed verbatim below. Now I have never tried cucumber in most of the ways given, but I’m willing to give some of these a try:

1. Fat busting: Do you ever wonder why women put cucumbers on their eyes to relieve puffiness? The photochemical in cucumbers makes the collagen in your skin tighten, thus the lack of puffiness. Did you know that you can rub a cucumber on a problematic spot of cellulite anywhere on your body to lessen the visibility of it? Did you also know that it has the same effect on wrinkles? Wow, it makes purchasing those fifty dollar creams seem a little silly, doesn’t it? You can also rub a little bit under your kiddo’s eyes after a long bout of crying to avoid that puffy ‘I cried for an hour straight’ look.

2. Defogger: Do you get annoyed when you get out of the shower and you have to fight the fog on the mirror? Who has time for that when the kids will be awake at any moment? Try rubbing a slice of cucumber on the mirror before you hop in and not only will you get a fog-free mirror, but you’ll have a nice smell that will boost your mood.

3. Headaches: If you suffer from headaches from chasing your babies all day (or pets or your husband), or had a little too much wine with dinner and want to avoid a hangover, eat half of a cucumber before bed. Cucumbers are high in B vitamins, sugar, and electrolytes, and they replenish the nutrients missing in your body to help you avoid a hangover or to beat that headache that’s been threatening to take over.

4. WD-40 replacement: Did you know you can get rid of a squeak by rubbing a cucumber on the hinge? Wow, now you don’t have to tear your garage apart looking for that little can with the red straw, and the baby won’t wake up when you slowly open the nursery door to check on him.

5. Crayon on the walls: Take an unpeeled cucumber and rub the crayon off of the walls in the event that your kiddo left you some art. You can also use this technique to erase a pen mistake.

6. Halitosis killer: Take a slice of cucumber and put it on the roof of your mouth. Hold it there with your tongue for 30 seconds. The photochemical that you love for cellulite and puff reduction will also kill the bacteria that is causing your bad breath.

7. Tarnish remover: If you’re finding tarnish on your stainless steel kitchen faucets and appliances? Rub it off with a cucumber slice. Not only will it remove years of tarnish, it will leave it streak free and your hands will thank you, and your kids won’t be put at risk from a dangerous chemical.

8. Energy booster: If you’re feeling tired in the afternoon, don’t give Starbucks your five bucks. Instead, grab a cucumber. There are just enough carbohydrates and B vitamins to give you a longer-lasting and healthier boost of energy than soda, coffee, or those health hazard energy drinks.

9. Munchy madness: Did you know that European trappers ate cucumbers for energy and to keep from starving to death? If those big burly manly men can eat a cucumber to keep from starving, you can eat one as a healthy choice when the munchies hit. Slice some up and take them in a small plastic container to the movies if your theater doesn’t offer healthy alternatives to munching on butter soaked popcorn.

10. Frugal facial: Slice up a cucumber and boil it in a pot of water. The chemicals inside of the cucumber will mix with the steam. Remove the pot from heat and lean over it, letting the steam hit you. Your skin will be more radiant and healthy, and you will feel relaxed and rejuvenated.

11. Shoe polish: Cut a slice off of your cucumber and rub it on your shoe. It will not only shine it up, but it will repel water.

12. Pest control: Put three or four slices of cucumber in a small pie tin and place them in your garden. The chemicals in the cucumber have a reaction that pests hate. You won’t smell it, but it will drive them from your garden all year long. Replace them periodically.

13. Sunburn: Sometimes sun block doesn’t always protect your little ones from sunburn. If you have burnt little kiddos you don’t have any aloe, rub some cucumber on them. Many doctors even use cucumber to treat patients with irritated skin and sunburns.14. Blood pressure: Cucumber has been long used to treat high blood pressure. If you have it, add cucumbers to your daily diet. There is also ongoing research into the use of cucumbers for lowering cholesterol.

15. Constipation remedy: The seeds of a cucumber are a diuretic. If you’re constipated, try eating a cucumber. If you suffer from chronic constipation, add cucumber to your daily diet.

Have you tried using cucumbers in any of the ways given above? I know about using them for eye puffiness, but the other uses were entirely new to me.






18 comments:

  1. Wow, you do uncover some amazing research, Sanda. I don't eat cucumber, because I simply don't like the taste of it. However, maybe I should just buy it and keep on hand as a household rescue and cleaning remedy. So many of these old ideas become lost with the advent of shop-bought products.

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    1. I know many people don't care for the taste of cucumber. Like you, I'll try it some of the ways listed as well.

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  2. Your 'sassy water' sounds delicious - I love lemon and mint and often snack on cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. I've not had much luck growing them, though. Not sure I believe that first claim about stuff getting through skin (we have skin to keep all those things out and surprisingly few chemicals can actually get through, thankfully) but the cold will definitely help reduce swelling. I'll have to try some of those other tips, but I think cucumbers are just the best to eat.

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    1. I agree that they are best to just eat. I put lots of black pepper and a bit of sale on mine. Also love the Greek sauce that uses cucumber, yogurt and garlic.

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  3. Like Patricia, I'm not a big fan of eating plain raw cukes. They are ok mixed in salads in small amounts. My favorite way to eat them is the way my GGMother fixed them, thinly sliced with some white onion, a small pinch of sugar, lots of black pepper, covered in a combo of vinegar/water and well chilled.

    I knew about the puffy eye relief but the rest of the info is news to me. We don't grow cucumbers but we do have lemons and mint growing so I'll buy a cuke next time I'm at the produce market. I want to try Sassy Water.

    Darla

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    1. My grandmother served them in the same way your GGmother did. How lucky you are to grow your own lemons! Do give Sassy Water a try!

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  4. I like to use a mix of limes and lemons, mint and lemon balm for a refreshing cooling drink :-)

    I also had no idea cucumber had so many uses in the household, I'm definitely trying it on my faucets to remove tarnish.

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    1. I grow lemon balm so maybe I'll try it in place of mint to see how I like it. For some reason, though, I'm not fond of the smell of lemon balm.

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  5. I just love cucumber.. I eat it anyway. The only time I dont eat them, is at night. They can give slight indigestion..but that could just be me.!
    I love the idea of Sassy Water..that i will definiately do.
    You really did find out some super uses for cucumber.
    I eat a cumber every two days. I am thinking i must start to grow them.
    I have met so many people that dont like them.. cant think why.
    great post Sanda.. very informative.
    Happy tuesday.
    val xxx

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    1. I believe cucumber does give indigestion to some people. They are so easy to grow so you should definitely give it a try.

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  6. The only way I can eat cucumber is sliced very thinly( rind removed) in sandwichs,not keen on it in salads either.Baby courgettes are my favourite vegetable.

    Thought of you as I picked my first blueberries this afternoon,how are your's?

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    1. Ah, the cucumber sandwich. So very English, isn't it? I love them too!

      My blueberry bushes didn't produce an abundant crop;just a few to eat out of hand. The birds claimed a few as well. Do you grow your own, Judith?

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  7. Cucumber slices on eyelids, though I have not tried it.
    Everything else was new to me.
    Thanks, great tips!

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    1. I am going to try some of the uses to see if it really works as is claimed. I have tried the slices on eyelids and it is very refreshing.

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  8. I love to eat them with sliced tomatoes, fresh basil and ranch dressing sprinkled with black pepper. Makes a great summer lunch! Have used them on puffy eyelids too. Wish the ones in winter even came close to garden ones. Love cucumbers.

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    1. That sounds like a great lunch. The winter ones are a poor substitute; particularly dislike the max they cover them with, but guess it's necessary to lengthen their life for shipping.

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  9. Wow! I never knew all these interesting facts about cucumbers! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Neither did I. Thought I might give a few a try!

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