Silver and Gold Magazine Spring 2020 | Page 8

OUTDOOR TIPS + TRICKS How to make a home-made Bug Spray While bug sprays containing DEET are effective, its toxicity levels to humans is still debated. Try this safe and effective home- made bug spray using essential oils*: In a bowl, combine the following ingredients, mix well, and add to a spray bottle (glass, dark bottle is best): • 1/2 cup of distilled water • 1/2 cup of natural witch hazel • 1 Tbsp. of vodka, or rubbing alcohol • 10 drops of each essential oil: lemongrass or lemon, rosemary, lavender. Note: Essential oils should not be used by pregnant women. No need to dirty dishes for dessert! Use sugar cones for fruit salad, then add the ice cream on top! The ‘Alpine Butterfly Two Twist Knot’, also known as the Lineman’s Loop or Butterfly knot, is the handiest knot to know how to tie – leaving one loop available to tie a carabiner. This knot can be made in a rope without access to either of the ends. 8 How to determine how much sun is left: Each finger on an outstretched arm is equivalent to 15 minutes. So each hand between the sun and the horizon is equivalent to about an hour of remaining sun. Add dried sage knots to your barbecue top grill (or place right inside with the charcoal) to create that extra bit of smoke for keeping mosquitoes away... Plus it’ll make your BBQ food taste that much nicer! Barbecue easier: Use two skewers instead of one. This will make it easier to flip over and cook thoroughly, without food pieces falling off or skewers breaking in half because of food weight. image: onegoodthing.com Check our website for infused water recipes! Read + hear more: www.silvergoldmagazine.ca