By Cal
Orey
AUTUMN’S AMAZING
COFFEE GROUNDS FOR YOUR HOME
Drinking coffee for its healing powers
is healing, but did you know that you can use coffee for healing your personal
environment, too? Welcome to the world of coffee uses in the
home, another perk of the coffee tree. Before I entered Coffee World, I didn’t
know coffee grounds were eco-friendly and something to use. But now I know uncommon
grounds can be home-friendly. God bless nature’s
little dark coffee grounds for their multi-purpose uses indoors and outdoors.
INDOORS
Kitchen
Use An Abrasive Cleaner. Use grounds as a scouring agent to tackle
any greasy or dirty surface. It also can get rid of pungent odors from pans and
your hands.
Go for a Deodorizing Buzz. Dry coffee ground (not soggy used ones)
placed on a cookie sheet and put in an open container in your fridge or freezer
can be an instant way to help absorb odors. Also, fill a sachet with dried
grounds paired with cinnamon sticks and whole cloves and place it in close
drawers (baby and pet-proof).
Living Room/Dining Room/Bedroom
Furniture Concealer: Coffee
grounds can do away with smells and unsightly scratches on furniture, too.
Steep grounds and apply the dark brew to wood furniture with a cloth. I tried
this household treatment on an antique dark chest in my bedroom and it worked.
I thought, “If coffee stains cups, coffee pots, and teeth, it has to work on
brown furniture.” And it did just that. Flavored coffees provide a nice aroma
unlike commercial types with strong, undesirable scents.
Fireplace Dust Buster: Ever notice that when you clean out the
ashes from the fireplace that dust gets in your eyes and nose? You can control
the dust by using wet coffee grounds on the cool ashes because they keep the
dust down and not in the air. Note to self: Try to see if this method works.
Bathroom
Ant Repellent: In the mountains I don’t see ants but in the city I
did. And if they weren’t in the kitchen they took over the bathroom, especially
around water. Rather than using a chemical spray, try using coffee grounds on
the area thirsty ants go to. (Be sure kids, cats and dogs are not around as the
natural ant eater does its job.)
OUTDOORS
Plant Fertilzer: Plants that like acidic soils will like your
coffee grounds. Use grounds on the top layer of soil, or mix it with potting
soil before planting. I started dumping coffee grounds on the aspens in the
front yard. It could have been the late
summer rain and/or the green grounds that helped the trees perk up.
Compost: Grounds not only feed your plants and trees, but they can
feed your compost bin (if you have one). Simply add compost piles to increase
nitrogen balance. Coffee filters and tea bags (yes, I have both, especially if
my youngest Brittany
doesn’t scarf down the chamomile tea bags) will also break down fast during
composting. I still don’t do the compost dance it but it’s on my list of to-do
changes and coffee grounds and filters will be included. I continue to sprinkle
grounds on one wilted aspen in the front yard but so far it’s not showing signs
of being a coffee lover…
Insect Repellant: But tossing coffee grounds on the deck, dirt, or
sidewalks may have a faster effect. Again, it’s a risk to do this if you have
indoor/outdoor dogs or cats, because you don’t want a sequel of the Ethiopian
goat herder’s dancing goats. And that’s not all…
HEALTHY
COFFEE FENG SHUI TIPS
Welcome your home sweet home to the art of feng shui—the
ancient Chinese art of placement—with a twist of coffee. By putting stuff in
the right spots in your kitchen and other rooms it can enhance the flow of
positive energy and zap negative vibrations, bringing you good health,
happiness—and even fortune.
Declutter Your Coffees. If you’re a coffee lover, chances are you’re going to have more than
less java beans and gadgets in your home. Rather than stuffing it all in one
place, such as your pantry, I suggest storing it in a variety of places just in
case of a blackout. You’ll find cans of coffee (these have expiration dates) in
my pantry. Plus, they are sealed so I feel safe and secure that my fur kids
won’t get into the java. Also, when I open my freezer, there is an array of
well packaged coffees lined up in rows. It makes me feel safe in case there is
a shortage on coffee. And, in my fridge, I also have concealed containers
filled with coffee in use, from day to day. It’s clutter free but coffee
definitely has its place(s) in my kitchen.
Clean the Coffee Pot(s) to Coffee Grinder. This is a chore but it’s good chi to have a squeaky
clean pot (or two) and grinder. For the pot, use vinegar, water, and lemon (use
hot water, let soak). As far as the grinder goes, day by day cleaning will keep
you and yours healthy coffee drinkers.
Brighten Up with Lighting. In your
kitchen, you’ll want to have neutral of earthy coffee colors, from a tan, light
coffee or wood paneling. Fresh, white
curtains will lighten up the room and your energy.
Scent It Up.
And, of course, the constant aroma of fresh brewed coffee will linger from room
to room.
Boost Your Mood with Coffee Mugs. Select your favorite coffee mugs and place them
together or in a mug holder on the counter. This is inviting for you or coffee.
Use Coffee Art.
Framed coffee prints can give your kitchen a nice visual effect, especially if
they boast Mediterranean colors: red, brown, gold, and blue.
Flaunt Coffee Companions. Glass canisters filled with biscotti to coffee
candy, look inviting and are your friends whenever you decide to brew a cup of
java.
Bring Out the Fresh Fruit. Seasonal fruit in lucky numbers, such as eight, is
good for you both physically and mentally. Citrus fruit, such as oranges goes
well with coffees—and the shelf life is good.
Conceal Knives and Scissors. These are a must-have item so when you open a new
bag of coffee you can do it the right way and without going on a hunt through
the house or using your nails or teeth.
Hide the Gadgets.
Too many coffee makers will give you clutter. So, choose your coffee toys and
store the others in cupboards. Recycle these to fit the season and your
mood.
Place Coffee Books in Piles. Cookbooks are attractive and show that you like
being in the kitchen. Line these up in an appealing way or pile books in stacks.
Either way it will give a nice coffee literary feel and will be on hand to
inspire you.
A bonus tip: Purchase a coffee calendar. It will keep you up-to-date on
seasons and holidays—a great coffee lover’s tool so you can plan meals and
coffee accordingly. And, of course, with your coffee-ized kitchen, what better
way to celebrate than to have a cake, like this heavenly recipe, baking in the
oven?
[SHADED BOX]
Heavenly Coffee Angel Food Cake
* * *
1 cup sifted cake flour 2 tablespoons instant coffee,
ground
1 teaspoon cream of tartar fine powder in a coffee grinder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 ¼ cups sugar
1 teaspoon coffee extract (or 1 ½ cups egg whites (10-12 large
eggs)
½ teaspoon salt substitute almond
at room temperature
extract
Place
a rack in the center of the oven and preheat it to 325 degrees. Sift the flour
and ground instant coffee together onto a sheet of wax paper, then resift it
with the sugar and salt onto a second sheet of wax paper. In a large
grease-free bowl of an electric mixture, add the egg whites and cream of tartar
and mix on low speed till foamy. Increase speed gradually to medium and beat
until whites are stiff and shiny, but not dry. Stop the mixer and add the
vanilla and coffee extracts, whisking in once or twice by hand.
Carefully lift the wax paper holding the
dry ingredients and sprinkle the flour mixture gently into the egg whites.
Using a spatula, carefully fold the dry ingredients into the whites till just
incorporated. Do not stir hard or the batter will deflate. Very gently turn the
batter into an ungreased tube pan and smooth the top lightly. Place immediately
in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or till well risen and golden on top.
As
soon as the cake is done baking, invert (if your tube pan doesn’t have “feet”,
hang the pan upside down over the neck of a bottle). Allow the pan to hang
upside down for several hours until completely cool. (If it cools right side
up, gravity will make it sink and become dense.) To remove pan, slide a long
thin knife around the edge of the pan and the center tube to loosen it. Top the
cake with plate, invert and lift off the pan.
(Source:
Courtesy Coffee Science Source.)
— Cal Orey,
M.A. is an author and journalist. Her
books include "The Healing Powers" series (Vinegar, Olive Oil,
Chocolate, Honey, and Coffee) published by Kensington. (The Healing Powers of
Honey and Coffee are offered by the Good Cook Book Club and available on Walmart's site to store.)