olive-oil-tasting-mauries from ryanovineyards
Budget-friendly and possibly the best for you, anyway.
I always wonder why people go to such great lengths for the newest products that claim to do the same thing that everything else is supposed to do. Long-lasting moisture! Now 10x less wrinkles! #1 top rated! If people took a step back, there’s a good handful of products that are also top-rated for the same thing. It may be my suspicious nature, or just my frustration with overt marketing and advertising, but everything I see or hear about any product I take with a huge grain of salt. If they are so great, why do they have to convince people so goddam much?
If you work in marketing or advertising, I hope you don’t get offended. I do think you have one of the highest-pressured jobs because so much revenue relies on your creativity and production. But if you do need to get away without constantly being reminded of every single ploy or promotion, the best things can be found in your kitchen. (Which, by the way, is already being raided upon by ruthless marketing ever since the Green movement has come around. 100% organic materials haven’t been pushed so much in years that it is so trendy now the highest-end companies wouldn’t be caught dead without an organic line.)
I equate olive oil with gold. It’s just as old, naturally occurring, and simple in its formation. Some people may say it is just as expensive. It’s true, especially if you are going to invest in an imported extra-fine virgin olive oil. Then there are the scented oils, infused oils, dressing oils, frying oils….the variety can be horrendous. One of the great characteristics of olive oil is its purity, which makes it great to use for many things other than cooking. Let me count the ways..
KITCHEN
1. Dressings, Sauces, Vinaigrettes – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Never use extra virgin olive oil (evoo anyone?) for frying or as a base. Why? The fine quality of the oil is too luxurious to be fried with. It is the first press so it is the most delicate and has the most flavor. It smokes and burns very quickly. Why throw it on the fire? Use it for dressings in salads, vegetables, pasta sauces, meats, and fish. You’ll get the best use out of it and the best flavor at that.
2. Frying and Baking – Pure Olive Oil
Oils used to fry or bake need a very high smoking point. Pure olive oil, though commercial, does not burn in these scenarios. They sell this version of oil in large batches for a reason. It is lighter in color, much blander, but does the job better than virgin or extra virgin olive oil. It’s tough, and you need a tough oil for doing big jobs.
3. Cleaning stainless steel utensils and pots – Pure Olive Oil
Cooks forget sometimes how much damage they do to their tools. Olive oil can prevent scratches and dulling as well as offer better protection against heat. As a cleanser, olive oil itself can help remove grime better than the leading dishwashing detergent.
BEAUTY
1. Skin conditioner – Virgin Olive Oil
The best trick I learned from my grandmother was to rub the tiniest drop of olive oil on your lips, hands, and feet before bedtime. I should do it more often. The difference can be seen overnight. People may think it too greasy, but it could be that too much is being used. One drop can go a long way and socks or gloves are a good idea to put on to keep in the moisture until it is all absorbed. I try to use regular “virgin” olive oil for this as it does not have the strong scent of extra virgin olive oil, but similar qualities. Still delicately refined, just a lower grade.
2. Hair deep conditioner – Pure Olive Oil
Oiling hair is a regular part of many beauty treatments around the world. The most popular oils are coconut, sesame, olive, and jojoba. For olive, the regular grade of the oil is best because all that is being sought for is moisture. Not flavor. Not a strong scent. Therefore, regular olive oil does the job just fine. An oil deep conditioner is primarily used before washing, either for a few hours before or overnight. Since hair is already “dead,” the oil can solidify shafts and split ends while also increasing shine. When applying oil, massaging the scalp is a great technique for hair growth and improving the quality of hair afterwards. After shampooing, a conditioner may be optional depending on the texture of hair. Because oiling is mostly used on coarse, curly, or thick hair, a light conditioner treatment may be needed after cleansing to replenish whatever the shampoo has stripped from the hair.
3. Makeup Remover – Virgin Olive Oil
Especially for heavy eye makeup. I find the olive oil does a better job at removing waterproof or staining makeup than anything you can buy in a store. Not only does the slickness of the oil better grab onto makeup, it conditions eyelashes, eyebrows, and the skin at the same time. It is also a natural disinfectant, and contrary to popular belief, will not cause acne if skin is rinsed well.
HOUSEHOLD
1. Cleaning Furnished Wood – Pure Olive Oil
Mixing two spoons of olive oil with lemon juice or vinegar cleans and polishes wood just as good as your average Pledge. What aggravates me about wood cleaners is that it leaves the surface so greasy. I like to customize many of my cleaning products so I don’t end up with a grease-slick or a sticky surface.
2. Cleaning Leather – Virgin Olive Oil
A dab of olive oil can bring back dried and tarnished leather. The purer the leather, the better the olive oil will work because they are both organic materials. Good leather shoes can be reconditioned without expensive trips to the cobbler or worse, throwing them out. I always envy the confidence many Europeans have about good leather shoes. They own very few, but they last forever. And the more you wear it, the more comfortable they are. This cleaning method can be used on gloves or jackets, as well.
3. Freeing whatever is stuck – Pure Olive Oil
Sometimes all you need in a little grease. Olive oil can free up a stuck zipper, quiet a squeaky door, or wherever else needs a little help to get loose.
Olive from sky#walker
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