Non Food Uses for Baking Soda {Bridge Card Friendly}

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It’s a versatile household staple that has benefits above and beyond baking. And since it’s technically classified as fit for consumption, it’s an approved purchase for your Bridge Card {EBT} benefits.

Toothpaste. Yup, that’s why it’s added to so many toothpastes as well. It’s a great whitener and soft abrasive for cleaning teeth. The taste leaves something to be desired, but it works just the same.

Odor Absorber. It’s not going to make your house linen fresh, but it will pull that old musty or moldy smell out of your refrigerator, cooler and carpets. You can also sprinkle it in your shoes to eliminate odors. Soak your musty sponges and dishrags in Baking Soda and water to refresh them.

Cleanser. Use it on your counters to help remove dirt and food remains. The abrasiveness will work similar to a scrub like Comet or Soft Scrub.

Fire Extinguisher. It’s a recommended agent for putting out small grease fires in the kitchen, it will smother the flames. (Reminder: NEVER throw water on a grease fire, it just spreads the grease out and makes it worse.)

First Aid. It will reduce itching and pain from bug bites and stings and relieves sunburn when you make a paste of it with water. It also soften skin when added to a bath. You can also add a teaspoon of Baking Soda to 4oz of water to use as an antacid.

What else do you use Baking Soda for?

Project & Market FRESH {WIC & Senior Programs}

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Farmer’s Market season is in full swing and if you are a mother on WIC or a senior in Michigan, you will want to check out these “fresh” programs.

Project FRESH is administered through the Michigan Department of Community Health in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Michigan State University Extension in the State of Michigan.

Project FRESH is the name of the program when it pertains to WIC recipients. It’s pretty simple and works like this: If you are a WIC recipient in the State of Michigan, you simply request your booklet via the same county health department that currently administers your WIC program. If they have booklets available, you will receive one booklet of 15 $2.00 vouchers for each qualifying WIC recipient in your household. (That should be one adult and all children under the age of 5.)

These vouchers can be redeemed from the moment you receive them until 10/31/12. They are redeemable at many Farmer’s Markets and roadside stands around the State of Michigan. You can find potential participating markets HERE or look for signs at booths in your local market that identify vendors that participate.

Market FRESH is basically the same program, but is distributed through your local senior center, senior housing commission or community programs for people age ….. and up who meet income qualification guidelines.

Redemption of the Market FRESH program vouchers works the same as the Project FRESH vouchers.

You can also see more tips for shopping the farmer’s market.

Clearance Plants for Your Garden

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It’s the time of year that garden centers are starting to think about clearing out and preparing for fall and winter. Many smaller nurseries are well on their way to emptying their inventory and chain stores are not far behind.

That means it’s not too late to cultivate a little garden of your own and reap the rewards in the coming months.

As a bonus, many tomato plants that have been sitting in greenhouses all summer should be close to producing already. Cherry tomatoes in many gardens have been ripe for a couple weeks now and with the mild spring and warm summer, many full size tomatoes are starting to ripen up fast.

You will want to watch for annual produce plants as well. Grabbing berry plants on clearance this season and cultivating a space for them will provide a bountiful harvest next year and years to come at a fraction of the cost.

And don’t forget to get creative. Do a little research on container gardening if you are low on yard space. Swapping out a few flowers for produce plants can accent a space with a great bonus purpose.

A note for Bridge Card (EBT) recipients: The purchase of produce plants and seed are an approved use of your benefits. No need to worry about out of pocket dollars while working towards self sufficiency.

Tips to Reduce Your Gas Usage

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The price of gas is one of those things that we have little control over, yet is a necessity for many in their every day life. Here are a few tips to reduce your usage and put more time between trips to the pump.

~ Plan your trips carefully. If you drive to work, plan to complete as many errands as you can when you are to and from work to avoid a full trip another time.

~ When going shopping, make sure you check out all the store deals and have your lists ready. Think about your route or check a map to make the most efficient drive when you are out.

~ Carpool. Check out carpool website…..

~ Make sure your car is properly maintained. Check your tire pressure, oil level and more to make sure your car is running it’s most efficient.

~ Don’t speed. You use more gas per mile at higher speeds. Slow down to save money.

~ Lighten up. Avoid carrying extra weight around in your car. Remove any heavy items from your trunk and avoid storing things in your car long term.

~ Don't leave your car running. It's tempting in the winter to leave a vehicle sitting with the heat on or in the summer to blast the AC while you step out, but these systems quickly eat up the gas in your tank.

~ Use gas reward and discount programs.

What else do you do to avoid extras stops at the gas station?