Or should they?

I thought this was the weirdest thing when I first tried it.  I saw it somewhere on Pinterest.  Buying beautiful berries only to have them go rotten in a day or two drives me CRAZY.  I thought it was worth a try.

It totally works.  I had a batch of black berries (probably the ones pictured) that lasted a FULL week in my fridge.  I bet without the vinegar rinse they would’ve gone a day or two.

BTW, if you’re looking for home routines that can save you time and stress — I love THIS course.  Just gets us on course every day!

So, open all the cartons, and remove that little paper/plastic thingy on the bottom.  You want to leave that area clear to let the water flow out.  Or, if you’re eating them right away I prefer using a strainer.  This one is my favorite.  Washes well, doesn’t rust, great size for a can of beans or a container of berries.1

Get a 4 cup measure (love using these oxo ones, they pour so nicely), and add 1/2 cup of vinegar, then fill the rest with water (so, the water isn’t very vinegar-y).  I did this much water for 5 containers of black berries.

Then just pour the liquid over the berries.  I like to line them up in my dish drainer so they can just hang out and drain after for a bit.  I then do another 4 cups of plain water.  Be careful as you do this that the water is gentle on the berries.  We know they’re fragile creatures.

After the berries drain for a few minutes I close the containers, and give them a little shake to make sure I got off as much water as I could.  I then stack them in the fridge on a paper towel until my kids eat them by the handfulls and they disappear.

**I think the vinegar kills any spores that are lingering on the berries so they don’t go moldy.  I’m not really sure why though, I only know it works!

I LOVE good berries, and this allows me to buy a few containers at once and not worry they’ll be bad the next day.

A few other berry tips:

While I use the containers from the store I think that something like this would make it EXTRA easy. Sometimes the containers in the store have that plastic moisture plastic paper and that would eliminate that, and be helpful.

I am also a HUGE Fan of putting these at the bottom of my crisper drawer. It helps keep it cleaner, I just change them out once a month and I think the items stay better longer since it wicks-up moisture. What do you think — would you find that helpful?

Like this post?  Be sure to sign up for my newsletter, and check out all my other weird things that work posts!

The post Make Berries Last Longer appeared first on Pulling Curls.

I really could itch my scalp all day. I don’t create oil there so I can get a dry scalp easily. I could go WEEKS without washing my hair (except I’d have to cut it off since it’d be so snarled). I had tried T-gel but it didn’t seem to work, now thanks to a combination of things I seem to have it under control.

A healthy scalp shouldn’t itch. Product build-up, hair treatments, dead skin cells, etc can lead to unhealthy scalp conditions. Your hair health can be affected by your scalp issues, hair care products used, etc can all play a part.

In recent years the use of apple cider vinegar (also known as ACV) has been popping up often as a help for many things. A bottle of apple cider vinegar can be used in a lot of ways. From salad dressing to some health benefits and even as a household cleanser there are so many things you can do with ACV.

Apple Cider Vinegar Itchy Scalp Treatment

Itchy Scalp at the nape of your neck

I tend to itch most at the bottom of my scalp and even down onto my neck (sometimes I get dry patches on my neck that look like I have symmetrical hickies — but they’re itchy). I have had a doctor check it out at work, they recommend hydro-cortisone and a thick lotion, which mostly works but I feel like that’s just putting something on top of it, not really fixing whatever my problem is.

I try to rinse my neck well in the shower so that the remaining conditioner isn’t left on there. It also seems to help with the itching.

ACV for your itchy scalp.

I put my own apple cider vinegar hair rinse of pure acv in a small spray bottle and keep it in my shower. When I first rinse my hair I spray it onto my scalp/neck. I use it not as a fine mist, but as a stream at that point. The spray bottle I bought shoots it really well and it gets right onto my scalp. I then rub it around a little and move on to other showering tasks.

I figure the longer it can stay on the better, but I often have kids knocking on my door — you know how it is. I then quickly rinse it and then move on to conditioning (I don’t shampoo).

One of the benefits of apple cider vinegar is that you can use it just a few minutes before washing/conditioning your hair.

Sometimes I dilute it 50/50 with water and also add a few drops of tea tree oil. That really helps. I think it’s probably the best for an itchy scalp.

Essential Oils for Itchy Scalp

I first used Doterra, but the MLM thing bugged me. Now I just get them from Plant Therapy or Eden’s garden on Amazon. I have tried Rocky Mountain Oils, but I got a batch that smelled stale (like the oil went bad)… and a few bottles where the oil was so thick I couldn’t get it to drip out. So, I switched.

Sometimes, It does burn a little, but I don’t mind that as I just hope it’s working. It really helped. I no longer feel like I could itch my scalp for hours on end and I’m not constantly bugged by it.

I do it a couple of times each week, sometimes even when I don’t wash my hair I will spray my neck.

**Be careful of how you lean down after applying the ACV rinse as it can run into your eyes, which I experienced and wouldn’t recommend. Also, be sure you don’t actually spray your eyes. Sometimes some can bounce off the wall into my poor eyeballs. {sad face}

I’ve also started adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to my water daily because I hear it helps keep you healthy. I have no idea, but if it keeps the doctor away, I’m all for it!

I also saw a great youtube video where she uses apple cider directly on her scalp.

Essential Oil Recipe for Itchy Scalp

After my daughter had Lice, I started to look into using tea tree oil more on my hair.

I made a little concoction in a dropper bottle.

• 1/2 bottle of fractionated coconut oil
• 1/4 (of the bottle) tea tree oil (I usually put a bit more tea tree oil than I do lavender) — also known as melaleuca oil
• 1/4 (of the bottle) lavender

**Just eyeball the % of the bottle, this isn’t scientific. 

I just take a full dropper and put drops on my scalp before I shower. Sometimes I remember the night before, or sometimes just before I shower. This is a great way to help eliminate scalp itch.

I massage it into the scalp as much as I can.

**Tea Tree Oil Stinks! So, make sure you get it rinsed out well in the shower.

**Under NO circumstances should you put the oils directly on your scalp/neck. I was super desperate last year and did this. It burned my scalp and then I had a flaking scalp for a while…. make sure you dilute it (as it is in the recipe above)

Related post: Using Vinegar as Fabric Softener

Sulfate-Free Conditioner helps with itchy scalp

I find that when I use a sulfate-free conditioner, it helps my scalp not itch so much.

I am also very careful to make sure I rinse my neck well after I condition. I think that perhaps some of my itchy nape was due to not rising my neck adequately.

I talk all about my current hair routine here.

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse for Itchy Scalp FAQ’s

Can vinegar kill head fungus? 

Yes, vinegar is a low pH (has antifungal properties) which will kill head fungus and help balance out your own scalp’s ph. 

Can I leave apple cider vinegar on my scalp overnight? 

You can. I am not a fan as it is SO smelly, and honestly, I’m not sure that overnight would be much better than a few minutes, but try it — tell me in the comments if it helps!

Can apple cider vinegar damage your hair? 

Just a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar should be fine for all hair types. I’m sure if you dipped it long enough and entirely in a vat of apple cider vinegar it might start to strip oils. Used as I mentioned here shouldn’t cause any damage or affect the appearance of your hair.

Does apple cider vinegar make your hair grow? 

If you had a bad enough problem with head fungus or a build up of hair products, it may be impeding your hair from growing — so in that case, yes — but it’s not actually making your hair grow, it’s just creating healthy conditions so hair can thrive! 

Does apple cider vinegar help with hair loss? 

As I mentioned above — it can make your scalp and hair follicles healthier, which can help make your hair less brittle and seem like less hair loss. BUT, if you’re actually losing hair (going bald) due to a genetic trait, I don’t think apple cider vinegar will help with that. 

Does apple cider vinegar kill head lice? 

Not REALLY, no — but in my home remedies for lice post I talk about how it weakens the “glue” that holds the lice to your hair, making it easier to comb them out. Apple vinegar is one of the things we use to help lice! 

How often should I use apple cider vinegar on my hair? 

I use it every couple of weeks. I do not have oily hair or an oily scalp so every couple of weeks is enough for me. If you have sensitive skin start slow and dilute the acv with water.

Does apple cider vinegar clean hair? 

It can help clarify it and remove deposits from conditioners and other product buildup. I like it for that as well and have added it to my hair care routine! I do believe using it helps with overall scalp health.

Are there Medical Studies on how ACV works and what it helps?

There are some smaller studies on ACV and how it can help with weight loss etc. There are no medical studies I know of about how it helps with scalp itch.

Like this type of post (using household items to make life better)? Don’t miss my essential oil blend that has saved us a ton!

Also, be sure to check out my other weird things that work in this series.

This post was originally written 2015 but has been updated.

The post Apple Cider Vinegar for Itchy Scalp: Also includes Essential Oils & More appeared first on Pulling Curls.

First off, how do I know so much about pediatric coughs? Hello! I’m Hilary — many people know me as The Pregnancy Nurse . I have been a nurse since 1997 and I have but before working labor and delivery, I worked for a busy pediatric office, I am also the curly head behind this website Pulling Curls and The Online Prenatal Class for Couples. ​

It can be painful when your young children start showing cold symptoms like a sore throat, runny nose, and persistent cough. If you are trying to stay away from cough suppressants like over the counter cough medicine and cough drops, this is one of those home remedies that has worked for our family several times on older children and small children.

Wait, you want me to put it where?

And by it — I mean a menthol rub. I also like that this one is a bit more “natural”.

Yes, put it on your feet.  Slather it on, like you wish you could butter your toast.  That’s right, nice and goopy.  Now put a pair of socks on over it.  These should probably not be your favorite socks, but in my history I’ve been able to wash them just fine. With younger children, this is a great way to use those unmatched socks that you haven’t gotten rid of yet.

Then, go to sleep.

Sure, hydrate, turn on a hot shower and sit in a steamy bathroom, grab a cool-mist humidifier but somehow the thing that fixes my cough the quickest is this one.

Most providers do NOT recommend cough suppressants for young children (and often sometimes even adults), so this is a nice thing that you can “do” without getting all that medicine in thei little bodies.

There are different types of coughs. Now, I’m talking a hacking, dry cough that keeps you awake in the middle of the night for no good reason. If you have a productive, wet cough (aka, you’re coughing stuff up) this may not work as well as your body is trying to keep itself from drowning.

I’ve tried it on my kids many times, and on myself.  I’m not going to say that it works 100% of the time for a nighttime cough, but enough that I still try it with fairly good success of a better night’s sleep.

It’s a good idea to make sure you are keeping an eye on your child’s symptoms. If you are noticing they have a high fever that won’t come down with over the counter medications or difficulty breathing you will want to contact your child’s doctor to make sure it isn’t something more serious like upper respiratory tract infections or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Both will need medical attention.

Child Cough FAQ’s

Q: Other than menthol, what is a good home remedy a cough?

A: You can always try a warm shower for the moist air to help with a dry throat. You can also try things like warm liquids and chicken soup. These might bring more comfort than actually curing the cough.

Q: Are cough syrups safe for children?

A: Make sure that you are reading the label of the cough medicine that you are purchasing to ensure that you are getting the right kind of the age of your child. If you have any questions at all, make sure you contact your healthcare provider.

Q: How do I know if the type of cough my child has needs medical care?

A: I wouldn’t suggest immediately going to the emergency department if your child has a cough, but you can contact your doctor to see if you should bring them in to be seen.

Have you tried this?  Don’t miss out my ear infection, fever, or strep throat posts also. It’s tough being a mom with sick kids, get all the information you can!

The post Put Menthol on Feet appeared first on Pulling Curls.

Have you seen those commercials about restless legs?

Maybe you even have it? It is obvious that the pharmaceutical industry has taken hold of this distressing syndrome and sees dollar signs and a marketing slogan. BUT, I have heard that the possible side effects could be FAR worse than restless legs. Soap for rls symptoms is an easy remedy that YOU can try today!

My mom was reading up on it on the internet and found that Ivory Soap could be the key to getting rid of hers.

What. the. heck?

What is Restless Leg (RLS)?

Honestly, the verdict is still out. And it seems to be different than nightly leg cramps or a charley horse. A lot of people suffer from it, but the cause seems to be complex — and hard to pin down.

There are no studies or scientific evidence that show that any of the remedies in this article work. There ARE medications that people use, but they have hard side effects like dry mouth, brain fog, fatigue or weight gain.

Rates of RLS are twice as high in women, and can be as high as 3 times as high in pregnant women (which makes having a natural home remedy like soap important, as those women don’t want to take medications if they don’t have to).

Looking for more family health info? — be sure to check out these posts:

• The Headache Remedy That Works
• Stronger Bones, Stronger Women: The Benefits of Strength Training
• Appendicitis Tales: Inside the Mind of a Nurse Turned Patient
• 3 Medications for Baby to Have On Hand
• Semaglutide and Strength Training: Wins, Struggles, and Surprises

Using Soap for Restless Leg

Does it make ANY sense? no (seriously guys, ZERO studies or scientific research on this one besides a TON of people recommending it online — check out my comments!) — but she happened to have a new bar of soap in her pantry. She unwrapped it (it seems like the jury’s out on if you actually need to unwrap it) and popped it between her mattress pad and her fitted sheet and somehow like dumbo with his feather, she no longer has restless leg at night. Soap remedy for the win! Just to be clear, liquid soap won’t work for middle of the night RLS.

**Think this is insane (just like I did) — check the comments!

Bar of soap in bed for restless leg

If you are in the mood to read more:

• This one is selling their own soap, but ivory soap seemed to work for my mom!
• More positive reviews.
• This one rates a bar of soap as the top remedy.

So, I got 3 bars of Ivory Soap for my little photo shoot and I read all the ingredients — it really makes NO sense. My mom says she can’t smell the scent of ivory soap, she has it tucked in a corner under the bottom sheet so she doesn’t feel it.

She said the first couple of nights she’d be on the “verge”of getting it — but then would remember her soap and it would stop.

It seems like a homeopathic remedy that is a good standby treatment for nocturnal leg cramps.

What kind of soap for RLS?

It looks like there’s evidence that any type of soap will work although I don’t know about the fragrance of the soap… but my mom has only tried Ivory Soap.

I have heard some people tout lavender-scented soap because of its soothing qualities if you like the smell of lavender. But, Ivory worked for my mom. Feel free to try another brand of soap, like irish spring or even soap chips.

However….

Hers came back harder when she had knee surgery…

Other natural remedies for Restless Leg

Once my mom started having the issue, I started studying it more.

Things I have found that have helped others:

Magnesium supplements can often keep chemistry on your side to help your muscles stay calm, some people use it in a lotion on their legs.

Good news! Some people have found that a weighted blanket can help. It just helps your legs relax by pressure. I have seen a lot of things about the counter stimulation helping your fidgety legs.

Light stretching can help — keeping in mind that rigorous exercise before bed is NOT recommended, and can make the uncontrollable urge to move your legs worse.

Loosen up — I have seen some people say that un-tucking your bed sheets can help your legs have some movement (if your toes are forced to point down it can be problematic)

Chill out — some people have said that by changing the temperature helps (some say heated, some say cooled like cold compresses) it can help. I have a BedJet which I love to help relax me before bed! Check it out here.

A little quinine anyone? My mom has found tonic water to be helpful. Again, no studies — people don’t recommend it — but I saw it recommended again and again online, so I bought her some. And she said it helped, a LOT!

Doctors say that decreasing your alcohol, coffee and tobacco consumption can help with it as well!

Some people report that massage can help — especially when they concentrate on your leg area. Less helpful when you’ve just had surgery though.

I have also heard good things about essential oils for RLS, something like this.

Finally, it’s certainly a good idea to talk with your doctor about it if you’re finding it problematic. They can always order some tests to make sure your chemistry is alright.

Restless Legs vs Leg Cramps

It’s sort of a fine line as they are different problems (both are described as painful)… if nighttime leg cramps or muscle cramps are your issue, I’ve heard good things about this stuff.

Want more great health tips – don’t miss my family health tips

It’s crazy, right?  Anyone tried it?  Do you think it’s Dumbo and his feather “made” him fly — or is it more?  I figure spending a buck on a bar of soap (which you could even just use if this experiment went awry) might be worth a try!

Ivory Soap for Restless Legs relief is the first of my Weird things that work series.  Be sure to check out my health and wellness board on Pinterest!

The post Soap for Restless Leg Syndrome appeared first on Pulling Curls.

I have a confession to make.  My closest friends all know it.

I hate sand.

Hate it SO much.  It drives me from the beach.  It’s in the car, it’s in my holes, it’s in my kids holes.  We find it for days.

Yuck.

But there are beach bag essentials that can make the beach a better place, and I have one GREAT tip for any other moms who hate sand.  This blog post will help you know how to take care of my skin at the beach.

Here’s the deal.  I honestly don’t think there’s anything better than sitting with friends, surrounded by yummy snacks and our children just having a BALL at the beach!  So much running around and getting out energy.  So many great things to see and experiment with… The sound of the waves just helps my mind relax and enjoy each other.

And then I stand up and we have to leave.

Oy. vey.

The sand.

Here’s 5 beach essentials to protect your skin at the beach, and the 5th one is the trick of them all.

1.  Bring wide-brimed hats, or whatever hat your child will wear.  Mine tend to not want hats on all the time, but I try to make sure they have SOMETHING to protect their soft facial skin at the beach.  Wide brimmed is the best if you can talk them into it.

2.  A good umbrella, or shade of some sort.  This is just a good standard for comfort, and being able to hang out in the shade protects your skin the very most.  We found a really cool umbrella at Costco, but they are all over.  Just get one that is well made, as there can be harsh conditions at the beach.

3.  Rash guards for the kids.  I buy these like crazy at Goodwill whenever I see them.  It just helps the kids from getting irritated by things at the beach, and helps keep the sun off their precious parts.

4.  Great sunscreen.  Don’t get the kind that washes off after 4 waves, or sweats into their eyes and makes them cry.  I love Bananna Boat ® sunscreen.  I also love the spray.  I also learned that each child needs 2 Tablespoons of sunscreen every couple of hours to protect their precious skin (and put it on 30 minutes before their skin is exposed to the sun).  It protects from 7 conditions including sun, pool water, extreme heat, sweat, wind and ocean water (you’ll find plenty of ALL of that at the beach!)

5.  Hate sand? Take some baby powder.  When your kids are sprinkled with sand and you just can’t get it off, sprinkler on some baby powder, it must soak up the moisture that holds the sand on and the sand brushes RIGHT off.  My least favorite was always sand in the diaper area and this completely did the trick.  I had happy kids on the ride home (and less sand at the bottom of or tub once we got home)!  Check out the video below!

Kinda crazy, right?  Check out the rest of my weird things that work!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Banana Boat® . The opinions and text are all mine.

The post How to Take Care of My Skin at the Beach appeared first on Pulling Curls.