Vinegar: The Miracle Cleaner

In this day and age, if a cleaning product doesn't contain unnatural or complicated ingredients, we're suspicious of it. And we're missing out on the benefits of low-cost common products that are more versatile and effective than we ever imagined.

A few years ago, my girlfriend and I made the mistake of storing a tent and down-filled sleeping bag right next to full plastic water bottles. Over time, one of the bottles failed, slowly dripping water that migrated to the tent and sleeping bag. By the time we discovered the minor flood, the tent and sleeping bag were already breeding mold and mildew.

Our first thought was to just toss the camping equipment, but then I checked in with the family cleaning expert otherwise known as my mother, and she gave us a simple folk remedy. My mom was raised during the War Years when people had to rely on what they had on hand to keep their households and belongings clean. Instead of telling us to run out and purchase the latest and greatest cleaner she said we should dilute distilled vinegar in water and use it on the equipment.

We filled a bucket with water and added a few caps of vinegar -- and just a FEW caps. Any more than that and your equipment might come out smelling like a chef salad. We wiped the tent down and put it out to dry. While it was drying, we filled our washing machine with water and added a few caps full of vinegar and pushed the sleeping bag down into it until it was saturated. Then we ran the washing machine on the most gentle setting.

We were amazed that when both the tent and sleeping bag dried, they were absolutely free of the mold and mildew and musty odor. I have since used diluted vinegar on other equipment -- including running shoes -- that picked up a bad odor. They came out good as new.

The only limit we can find to the vinegar cure is to make sure that the products you use it on are made to be cleaned with water. Other than that, try it on everything.

A Change Of Pace Can Pep Up Your Workout

July 4th is past, the summer doldrums are setting in and you're itching for a change. Well, even if you're not, I am.

Performing the same running and workout routine can get to be a drag after a while. One way to get motivated and focused again is to change your routine. Fortunately, this doesn't require a whole new set of equipment.

Changes in a running routine are as easy as:

1. Setting a new route. Seeing something different in itself can be refreshing. Taking on a new terraine with different hills and valleys can also pose a new challenge to your cardio-vascular system.
2. Varying your pace. There's nothing like a nice long run. But researchers say alternating long runs with short runs at a faster pace can have additional benefits. They also say that interval training -- alternating fast-pace and slow pace running can have extra benefits for your heart. Ramping your heart rate up and down builds a stronger heart mucsle.

Changes in a weight training routine are as easy as:

1. Performing three sets of an exercise in a row. I usually alternate between exercises -- such as a set of push-ups, a set of pull-ups, a set of curls, and a set of triceps extensions --and repeat the routine three times. To shake up my workout, I will spend a session performing three sets of each exercise in a row. The challenge brings my muscles to the breaking point, which means I'm getting the maximum benefit. If you already do all three in a row, try alternating the exercises.
2. Speeding up your routine. We all fall into a rut occasionally where we start to kind of slowly go through our exercise routine, filling the voids with conversation, tv watching and daydreaming. To get back in the game, set a stopwatch and keep moving through your routine at a faster than normal pace. You'll be amazed at how much harder your muscles are worked.
3. Switching out exercises. If you normally use pull-ups for upper body strength, substitute rows. If you usually curl both dumbbells at the same time, try curling one arm at a time. If you usually perform triceps extensions with a weight or bands, try dips. The different mechanical approach to different versions of each exercise will work muscles you didn't know you had.
4. Switching workout times. If you're tired of working out at the same time every day, try a different time. Your body has a biorhythm that can use a little shaking up itself. Sometimes when I've been running or weight training too much in the morning, throwing an afternoon workout into the mix can give you a whole new perspective.

Fitness routines should never be drudgery. With a little imagination and effort, you can make everything old seem new again.