Sea Salt
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Sea salt, harvested from the ocean, has been used for several thousand years. It is ideal for bringing out the freshness in salads and greens; it tends to make lettuce and other vegetables crisper. When cooking, grilling, baking or broiling beef, pork, poultry and seafood, sea salt brings out the natural flavors of the meat. Sea salt is also perfect for long, steamy baths at the end of the day. Add a cup of sea salt to a warm bath and soak for at least ten minutes. Sea salt has a healing effect - it pulls toxins from the body and soothes and heals the skin. Scented oils can be added to the bath for both fragrance and to soften skin. |
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For a stimulating, healing facial, mix equal parts of sea salt and olive oil. Gently massage the face and throat with long upward and inward strokes. Remove the mixture after five minutes and complete your facial by washing with mild soap and water.
Bigger is Better Kosher salt is often used when baking meats, such as beef, poultry and fish. Kosher salt can be used to make a removable crust, sealing the outer layer of the meat and keeping natural juices and flavor inside. Baked meats never tasted so succulent. |
When your favorite beverages call for a salt-rimmed glass, the larger crystals of kosher salt easily stick to the glass. Perfect for margaritas!
Kosher salt also helps around the house. Remove coffee or tea stains from cups by rubbing them with kosher salt. Add a teaspoon of kosher salt to soak up the grease before cleaning pans with soap and water. Easily scrub away stains from bathtubs and toilets with kosher salt and a wet sponge or cloth.
In the laundry room, wash curtains or washable fiber rugs in a solution of water and kosher salt to brighten the colors. Restore yellowed cottons or linens to their original white by boiling the items for one hour in a kosher salt and baking soda solution. Eliminate perspiration stains by adding four tablespoons of kosher salt to one quart of hot water and sponge the fabric with the solution until the stains disappear.
Sensible Salt
Reports from the Journal of the American Medical Association (AMA) indicate that for nearly 90 percent of the population, sodium is a healthy part of the daily diet. However, for the remaining 10 percent of people whose doctors suggest they keep an eye on their sodium intake, there are a number of alternatives. Cargill Salt's Salt Sense is a unique product consisting of 100 percent salt but with 33 percent less sodium by volume. Even though you or your family may not have to watch your salt intake, it's a good thing to keep a product such as Salt Sense salt available for guests that do.
Uncommon Uses
Here are some additional ideas from Cargill Salt and the Salt Institute for using common table salt around the house:
- Soak a new straw broom in a bucket of hot, salted water to increase its lifespan.
- If red wine is spilled on a tablecloth or rug, blot up as much as possible and immediately cover the spot with salt to absorb the remaining wine. Later, rinse the tablecloth with cold water, or scrape the salt up from the rug and vacuum.
- Remove white rings left on tables caused by wet or hot dishes and glasses, by rubbing a thin paste of salad oil and salt on the spot and letting the mixture stand for an hour or two.
- Soak new candles in a strong salt solution for a few hours and then dry to reduce dripping wax.
- Remove stains in vases by rubbing with salt or soaking in a strong salt solution.
- Keep fresh cut flowers perky by adding a dash of salt to the water in the vase.
- For frost-free windows, rub the inside of the window with a sponge dipped in a saltwater solution and wipe dry.
- Use salt and cinnamon to eliminate the "burned food" odor away from your oven and stove burners. Sprinkle spills with a combination of salt and cinnamon while the oven or its burners are still hot. When dry (and the oven or burners have cooled), remove the salted spots with a stiff brush or cloth.
- Regularly pour hot, strongly salted water down the kitchen sink to eliminate odors and reduce grease build up.
- Does something smell fishy? Dip a lemon wedge in salt and rub the item (hands, cutting board, counter) and rinse with water.
- Mix a half a cup of salt and soda to a gallon of water to wash away stains and odors inside your refrigerator.
- Add a pinch of salt to coffee grounds before brewing. The salt enhances the true coffee flavor by removing some of the acid taste.
See also:
Sodium Diet Guidelines
Americans and Salt
Salt and Diabetics
Changing Your Salt Habit
Salt Sense
Tips for a Low Sodium Diet
Low Salt/Sodium Recipes
Low-Sodium Diet Can Decrease Blood Pressure
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