Yellowing Makes Me Blue

These are the yellow stains after about the 4th wash. I've just sprayed them with Ocy-Clean.

Some time ago I noticed I had a few white blouses that were yellowing in my closet but I never got around to trying to deal with them because these are items that I seldom wear.  I've read that if you don't wash white clothing (or linens) on a regular basis, they start to get yellowed from dust and other particles in the air. Often the sleeves of tops hanging in the closet are affected because these parts are usually exposed more to the air while hanging in the closet.

I wanted to wear some of these light, white tops due to the very high temperatures we've been experiencing this summer.  I did some research on line about how I could get rid of the stains. Oxy-Clean is a ready made stain remover that I read could be sprayed on clothing and left for 10-60 minutes before laundering.  I also read that if I scrub the stains with laundry bar soap and let them sit or soak the clothing over night in a solution of vinegar and water, that my stains would be removed.  I decided to try all three approaches.

Altogether, I treated the stains about 7-8 times.  The stains are far less noticeable but they are still there and the items of clothing are still not wearable. I think part of the problem is I may have washed these items before and inadvertently set the stains by washing them in warm or hot water. That apparently is a "no-no". I've used cold water in my recent attempts. I will give these items a rest for a few days and try to scrub them out again. I think another 3-4 times might accomplish the job.

Have any of you had to deal with stubborn stains like this? If so, were you able to get rid of them?  Would you like to share your approach.

A New Dish

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I apologize for the poor lighting in this photo.

As I adjust to a more rigorous way of eating  I have to try and find a menu of foods that will satisfy a number of criteria.  Foods that can be put together without too much fuss.  Foods that will keep my blood sugar levels balanced.  And foods that are interesting enough to eat over the long term. Part of my new diet includes eating enough pulses and grains daily to keep me full and keep my blood sugar more evenly balanced.  This first week or so has seen my blood sugars going wildly up and down since I'm also experimenting with different foods and noting the effects on blood sugar levels.  It's been a bit hard on me for one doesn't feel good whether the sugar is high or low but but I have begun to see things level out to more acceptable blood sugar levels so that is the good news.  The other good news is that the new way of eating while not easy is made a bit easier because I've already had a lot of practice soaking and cooking various pulses and grains, and practise eating a variety of fruits and vegetables.  I also have canned beans on hand for those occasions when I don't have time to soak and cook dried beans.  My challenge is in having enough of all the right foods in the larder. My room mate has not joined me in dietary changes so having every food we need on hand is an even bigger challenge.

Last week I prepared beans and put them in green salads.  This week I wanted something different so decided to make a cous cous dish.  After looking at a few recipes on line, I put this dish together with a few adaptations.

Ingredients:

• 3-4  cups cooked (in broth) cous cous
• 1 cup of cooked kidney beans (you can substitute another bean)
• 1/2 chopping red pepper
• 1/2 chopped red onion
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped (or to your taste0
• 1/2 cup chopped or whole black olives (pit removed)
• 1 small bunch of cilantro
• 1 small bunch of parsley
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• feta cheese

Directions:

1. Saute onion, pepper and garlic in the olive oil. Cook until the red pepper is soft enough to your liking.
2. When the onion is transparent and red pepper is cooked, add the beans and olives.
3. Add parsley and cilantro and stir together well.
4. Add cooked (warm/hot) cous cous into the mixture.

Serve hot or cold and garnished with sprinkles of parsley/cilantro and crumbled feta cheese.
Serves 5-6

Let me know if you try it and if you like it!