The Amazing Cucumber

This information was in The New York Times several weeks

Ago as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted
Creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems.


1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every
Day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin
B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium,
Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.


2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the
Caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B
Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can
Last for hours.


3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower?
Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog
And provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.


4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a
Few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all
Season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give
Off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make
Them flee the area.


5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite
Before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers
Along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the
Cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer
Layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles
Too!!!


6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a
Few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache
Free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to
Replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in
Equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!


7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking
Binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European
Trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.


8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you
Realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a
Freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and
Durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.


9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a
Cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the
Squeak is gone!


10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or
Visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot
Of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with
The boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing,
Relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and
College students during final exams.


11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have
Gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your
Mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the
Phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing
Bad breath.


12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks
Or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you
Want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the
Shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails
While you clean.


13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of
The cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great
On crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!