Frugal Librarian #16: H1N1 sauce

frugallibrarianI wouldn’t recommend slathering pork spare ribs with it, but a hasty palm swab might be in order down for the next few months any time you shake hands, touch doorknobs/railings, or handle money.

But why pay “the man” a hefty price for the brand name Purel?   I found this outstanding recipe for DIY sanitizer!  I mean, who doesn’t have a whole bunch of grain alcohol lying around?

“Why would you want to make your own hand sanitizer when you can pick up a bottle in most stores? Many reasons: It could be cheaper to make in bulk, you get to control the ingredients (which is great for those with allergy issues), and you have the peculiar right to brag about yet another thing you made yourself.
You can earn those eco-friendly DIYer brag rights with instructions from Eco-centric blog, EcoSalon:
In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup each of pure aloe vera gel and grain alcohol with 5 drops of tea tree essential oil. To make it smell less pungent, add 5 drops of your favorite fragrance oil. Using a funnel, pour this blend into a bottle small enough to stash in your purse. (Rinse out an empty tube of makeup or lotion to make use of waste.)”

Might not hurt  to get that flu shot, either.  But if you’re one of those folks that don’t believe in vaccinations, raid grandpa’s still and put some uh that thar Bed Bathtub n’ Beyonder stuff in it.

Shoot the Flu — Get a Shot!

I’ll confess — I usually find a very good reason NOT to get a flu shot. But this morning I actually got one! According to the American Public Health Association, October and November are the best months to get vaccinated. The shot won’t protect you from the dreaded bird flu — just the regular stuff. And of course, young children, the elderly, and those whose immune systems are compromised should definitely get their shot. Another option these days, at least for healthy individuals between 5 and 49 and who are not pregnant, is the nasal spray. The spray is a good alternative for kids or others who really don’t like needles. Either way, getting a flu shot is easy, only takes a minute, and can protect you and those you love.

Visit the Center for Disease Control for more information on the flu shot and other ways to protect yourself from the seasonal flu.

Or, if you’re interested in learning more about the avian influenza (bird flu), check out Fowl: Bird Flu: It’s Not What You Think by Sherri Tenpenny.