Green thumbs cucumbers
HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
Tez and I have spent a horrendous amount of time this year growing vegetables in our garden. Not only do we simply enjoy the peace and contentment relaxing in the flowers and dirt that gardens provide but also the healthy and yummy food we manage to forage at the end of the harvest from our efforts.
Naturally we have our favourites. Mine are carrots and beets while Tez is also big on radishes and cauliflower. Both of us love cucumber but unfortunately because of my jaw surgery (titanium plate – no teeth) I can’t eat cukes. That being said there are a number of plants I can’t eat without a struggle but we do our best. One of the joys of being a gardener is researching and chatting with other gardeners with green thumbs
It seems everybody knows something about cucumbers. For instance, they contain most of the vitamins you need ‘Every day’, including B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, Folic Acid, and Vitamin C. In fact they are also loaded with Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.
Are you feeling tired in the afternoon even though you have done nothing with your day? Scrap the coffee and pick up a cuke because they are a great source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.
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.
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 aluminium to give off a scent undetectable to people but drives garden pests crazy and make them flee the area. I understand that a little beer in a tin works as well as a cucumber, however I think I will choose the cucumber first as I have a higher priority destination for my beer.
Want to find a fast, easy way to remove cellulite before going 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. (I’m calling BS on this one, although finding much cellulite on me may be tough).
Hoping 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!
Have an important meeting and realize 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.
No oil or WD40 around and need to ‘unstick’ or ‘d-squeak’ something?
Here’s one that’s well known. For when you’re stressed out and don’t have time for a massage, facial or visit to the spa cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water. The steam will create a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been proven to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.
Just finish a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints? Your jungle breathe is not good. Find a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds. The Phytochemicals will kill the bacteria in your mouth.
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 won’t leave streaks and won’t harm your fingers or fingernails while you clean.
Kids wrote on the wall with your pen, pencil or even crayon?
Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen.
I’m sure you may know of a few more. Feel free to send them to me and I will pass them on to HodgePodge readers in a future column.
