Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Works for Me Wednesday!

Shannon, who writes at the incredibly popular Rocks in My Dryer, has hosted WFMW (Works for Me Wednesday) for as far back in blogging history as my memory goes--okay, I realize that's not saying much, but suffice to say...a long time. This is, however, my first time participating.

There are many helpful household tips my Ethiopian born daughter has shared with me since her arrival here on the Ark.

Practical tips such as "Don't go to fetch the water at night. That's when the hyenas come out." Living in a small, suburban town in the midwest, you can well imagine my fear when it comes to hyenas.

Sensible tips such as "When you go to kill the chicken, make sure you take off all the feathers before we cook it." You should have seen the look on the face of the teenaged-help in the meat department when I inquired about the plucking of his employer's chicken.

So as she stood by me in the kitchen insisting again that she knew a trick from Ethiopia to stop my eyes from watering as I chopped an onion; I must admit I was a bit skeptical. But she persevered. And the next time I chopped onions and my eyes began to tear up, my daughter reached over and grabbed a piece of the yellow onion skin and tucked it behind my right ear.

Instantaneously--my right eye stopped leaking! I was amazed! So much so that a few moments later, I reached for a second piece and hooked it over the back of my left ear. Sure enough, the tears dried up.

Onion skins behind my ears to stop my tears. Works-for-me!


13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jane- I'm going to try that! Tell H thanks for the tip! I always feel so silly when I'm chopping onions and crying. It's neat how much we can learn from our Ethiopian kids, isn't it?

ames said...

That's incredible, I wonder why it works? Much better than getting sulfuric acid in your eyes! You daughter sounds very clever, I hope you share more of her insights.

Jamie Carin and Claudio Romano said...

I tagged you over at my blog :)

Lisa said...

Now, the kids are really going to ask questions, but I'm definitely trying this! Blessings to you and your beautiful family!

Anonymous said...

Jane, once again I am saying to myself, "Wow, what an awesome family!"

My luck, I'd forget I tucked those skins behind my ears, and somebody'd come to the door. But at least my mascara would still be lookin' fine!

:)

CC said...

Cool trick! My kids were born in Korea...I wonder what tricks they can teach me in the kitchen ;)

FrazzMom said...

That's wild! I'm making italian sausage with peppers and onions tomorrow. I'm going to try it out!

Barbara said...

Do you do that each time now? I know that putting a saltine in your mouth (sticking out no less) works also, but I never bother! Maybe the onion skins will be easier to remember.

Be Inspired Always said...

I never heard of that before but will have to try it :)

Jillian

Laura said...

We never know what we will learn from our children.

Jane, I posted my very simple Valentine bingo game cards over on my blog, if you were interested.
Happy Thursday!

Jane (a.k.a. patjrsmom) said...

Barbara,

It is so easy to remember because it is right there as you are cutting the offending onion! If I happen to forget and my eyes begin to tear--I just grab a skin and tuck it behind my ear and voila--the tears stop!

I've never heard of a saltine!

Laura,
I'm heading over right now to see your Bingo game cards. Thanks for sharing. I'll re-link them to the original post!

God Bless,
Jane

Lisa@UnexpectedJourney said...

I've got to try this! Chopping onions is really bad for me. I'm so short that my face is practically in the onion as I'm chopping! hee! hee! We'll see how this goes!

Jeni said...

I may have to try this! My usual way of avoiding the problem is to use the frozen diced onions. If a recipe calls for slicing, though, this might come in handy!