Connections to Health - It's the Real Thing

THE ISHTA HOLISTIC HEALTH CENTRE

CONNECTIONS to HEALTH

It's the Real Thing

A sorry tale

We were recently driving down to the south of France. Although we were all hungry we decided not to stop at a particular service station as it looked very busy and the next one was only about 20 minutes further on. When we got to the next one it was closed for refurbishment. Now very hungry we drove on to the next one which took about an hour. Now we were all seriously hypoglycaemic (starving to you and me) and were grouchy with it.
What a disappointment

Oh no! The only place to get something to eat was a junk food franchise. (I can only assume that some people are very easily pleased if they think any of their meals are happy.) As we were so hungry we decided we'd have to go for it.

We ordered the least offensive items off the menu, and to our surprise the "food" was accompanied by large cardboard buckets filled with brown fizzy goo. It had been a long time since I had soiled myself, well at least in that way, so I bravely decided to take a manly swig.

Isn't it funny how fast your courage goes when you're feeling queasy?

Why queasy?

It's not surprising I was queasy. In a regular sized can of the stuff there is the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar. I've no idea how much there would have been in the bucket. At least I could be grateful that it wasn't a diet drink. The sugar-free version is not a healthy option, either, because that's full of aspartame, which, as a previous issue has revealed, is the world's best ant poison.

By the way this isn't the only reason why we've decided to start a series on detoxification in this issue.

Anyway, I got to thinking that there must be something positive you can say about cola so I've tracked down some positive uses for it. I hope you enjoy it.

35 Uses for That Can of Cola, Other Than Quenching Thirst

It's the Real Thing, it Adds Life, and You Gotta Have It, but that can or bottle of cola can also work wonders in an emergency. The chemical soup that makes up most commercial soft drinks not only makes them taste good and quench thirst, but also makes them effective cleaning agents, bolt looseners, paint strippers, and possible skin softeners.

And since most people usually have a can or six lying around the house, knowing what to use it for when trouble arises can save you big problems and big money. Here's a list you should keep handy... Just in case.

CLEANING

1. Clean Car Battery Terminals.

There's acid in almost all carbonated drinks. And that helps strip corrosion from car battery terminals. Pour some cola over the battery terminals and let it sit for a while. Wipe off the residue with a wet cloth.

2. Clean Your Dirty Toilet Bowl.

Got bad stains, a date coming over in an hour and no toilet cleaner? Pour a can of cola into the bowl. Let it sit for an hour to let the phosphoric acid work on the stains, then brush to loosen the dirt and flush clean.

3. Remove Rust Spots From Chrome.

If you have an older car that has real chrome trim, chances are there are some small, and some not so small, rust spots developing on the chrome. Take some crumpled aluminum foil, dip it in some cola and rub the rust off the affected area.

4. Remove Rust Stains in Your Tub.

Remember how the phosphoric acid worked to clean the toilet bowl? The same acid will remove rust stains in your tub. Soak a sponge (preferably one with an abrasive side), in some cola and go to work on the stain.

5. Clean Grout.

Got some mold and mildew ruining the look of your shower? Soak a sponge with cola and work it into the grout. Rinse with water.

6. Remove Grease From Clothes.

Been working on the car all weekend and greased up more than just the engine? Pouring a can of cola into your washer, along with your regular detergent, is said to help loosen and wash away those grease stains.

7. Remove Milk Stains From Clothes.

Got milk? Soak the stain with cola for about five minutes, then wash normally. It should get the stain out.

8. Remove Blood Stains From Clothes.

I'm not going to ask how they got there, but if you soak the stain with cola for five minutes then wash in your machine, the blood should come out. Even dried blood that's been there for a while. (Don't tell the CSI.)

9. Clean Coins.

Got a thing for shiny pennies? Collecting special coins and want them to sparkle? Place your coins in a small dish and soak in cola for a few hours. Rinse and wipe to a bright shine. (I wouldn't recommend this trick with a rare coin collection. Just in case.)

10. Clean Grease From Glass. Even Eyeglasses.

That same handy phosphoric acid removes grease and grime from glass. Even dried hairspray from mirrors. Just rinse thoroughly with water after.

11. Clean Oil Stains From Garage Floor or Driveway.

Pour cola over the stain, let it soak in for a while, then scrub and rinse off with a hose.

12. Clean Burnt Pans.

Forget a pot on the stove and now whatever was in it is seared to the bottom? If scrubbing won't get it off, try this: boil some cola in the pot and the burnt-on mess should lift right out.

AROUND THE HOUSE

13. Loosen Clogged Drains.

If your sink is draining slowly and you don't have any drain cleaner in the house, pour a 2-liter bottle of cola down the drain and let the acids go to work on the clog.

14. Loosen Rusted Nuts and Bolts.

Soak a rag in cola and wrap it around the rusted-on bolt for a few minutes. The acids and carbonation will help loosen it.

15. Make Flowers Last Longer.

Got your girl some flowers and you want them to survive through the week? Pour about 1/4 cup of cola into the vase water. All the sugar helps them last longer.

16. Strip Paint From Metal Patio Furniture.

Want to refinish some outdoor furniture? Do it the right way and strip off the old paint first. To make it easier, soak a towel in cola. Let it sit on the furniture for about a week, adding more cola whenever the towel starts to dry out. The paint should strip off easily.

17. Kill Slugs and Snails.

If these pests are invading your lawn and garden, pour a little cola into shallow dishes or jar lids and spread them throughout your garden. The sugar attracts them, and, just like you remember from when you were a kid, the acid kills them.

18. Greener Lawn.

It's rumored that spraying cola on your grass will keep your lawn greener into the autumn months.

FIRST AID AND EMERGENCIES

19. Relieve Nausea or an Upset Stomach.

According to The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies, the syrup in cola can be used to cure upset stomachs. Just let leave the can or bottle open for about 30 minutes first, until the cola goes flat. The carbonation could have an adverse effect on your stomach.

20. Prevent Diarrhoea.

Also found in The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies, if you're traveling through a country with a questionable water and/or food supply, drinking cola could keep you from making constant "runs for the border". The acids in the cola help reduce the amount of E. Coli bacteria in your intestines. This inhibits the production of toxins that can cause diarrhoea.

21. Relieve Constipation.

If you are, as the Germans say, Farfrompoopin, the caffeine from a can of cola can have a laxative effect. Much like that morning latte.

22. Stop an Asthma Attack.

Just as an asthma attack comes on, down a couple of cans of cola. Some sources say the caffeine can help prevent an asthma attack.

23. Ease a Sore Throat.

By gargling with cola you can loosen the phlegm causing the irritation.

24. Stop a Jellyfish Sting From Stinging.

The acids in cola seem to neutralize the venom in the sting. And pouring cola over the wound is better than having your friend pee on it.

25. Get Gum Out of a Kid's Hair.

Want to score points with that single mum struggling to get gum out of her screaming kid's hair? Come to the rescue with your can of cola. Soak the kid's hair for a few minutes, then rinse. The gum should come right out.

26. Strip Dye From Hair.

If you girl comes over crying that her new hair dye turned her hair green, wash her hair with diet cola. Apparently diet cola has the ability to strip and/or fade bad hair dye.

27. Get Rid of Skunk Odor.

Angered Pepè Le Pew and now you aren't allowed in the house? Sponge down with some cola and hose yourself off. Again, those handy acids work to neutralise the stink.

28. Use As a Moisturizer.

Mixing a capful of cola with unscented lotion is said to enhance the moisturizing effects.

29. Keep People From Slipping on Slick Floors.

If you're having an outdoor get together and you're worried about guests slipping on your back patio, try this old stagehand trick: use a mop to spread a thin layer of cola on the slippery surface. It'll dry slightly sticky and tacky.

DUBIOUS USES

30. Give Your Hair Shine.

Pour a can of cola over your head, work it into your hair, then rinse. It's said your hair will be incredibly shiny. And impervious to slugs and snails.

31. Mousse Alternative.

Mix equal parts cola and water in a spray bottle and mix well. After you shower, spray a light coat of the mixture into your hair, then style. (I'm sure having sugar in your hair all day won't attract flies or be uncomfortable at all.)

32. Prevent Flatulence.

Adding a can of cola to a pot of pinto beans when cooking is supposed to neutralize the gas-causing compounds. (Belching? Another story.)

33. Get a Darker Tan.

There are those who say rubbing plain cola all over your body gives you a deeper tan. (There's caramel coloring in there, but I question the evenness of the result, and how long it will last.)

34. Shell Hard Boiled Eggs.

Apparently, if you soak hard boiled eggs in cola the shells will dissolve, eliminating the need to actually have to peel them.
35. Drink It

Apparently some people think you should drink the stuff. See all of the above!