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Aug 30, 2012 07:53 AM

Alternate uses for food

A recent video on this site which shows how to use peanut butter to fix scratches on a DVD got me thinking about other foods we use in nonfood ways:

People on TV sitcoms and in cartoons always use raw steak to put on a black eye. Personally, I've never seen anyone do this in real life but I'm sure it's been done.

Kids use pasta/macaroni for art projects in grammar school.

Mr. Potato head and all of his relatives and friends (the original sets also suggested using onions, peppers, oranges, etc.)

Oatmeal is used to exfoliate the skin.

Butter and Crisco are used as sexual lubricants.

What can you add to the list?

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  1. Vinegar as a cleaner.
    Baking soda as a cleaner, toothpaste, air deodorizer.
    Olive oil in DIY cosmetics.
    Sugar and salt in DIY exfoliants.
    Avocado, cucumber and various fruits and vegetables in face masks, etc.

    1. Per Lady Gaga, meat as a dress.

      4 Replies
      1. re: sbp

        Love that one! But credit must be given to Argentine designer Franc Fernandez and stylist Nicola Formichetti.

        1. re: ttoommyy

          how about also giving cred to jana sterbak... since all of the above totally bit her original 1987 artwork.

        2. For a junior high school project, I made a replica of the Coliseum with sugar cubes and Elmers Glue. Lots of sugar cubes.

          1 Reply
          1. re: Veggo

            I did the Pyramid of Giza. I think mine was easier!

            1. Well, chicken wings, backs, and necks make fine crab bait. And, in college, the team doctor used to suggest putting any frozen stuff we had in the dorm on our contusions - peas, pizza, margarita mix. Then again, he used to hand out codeine and benzedrine quite often too.

              6 Replies
              1. re: MGZ

                And don't forget a rice sock in the microwave to provide moist heat!

                1. re: kattyeyes

                  A microwaved potato works real well too and hold the heat longer than rice

                  1. re: scubadoo97

                    You apply that to, say, a sore shoulder or back? Don't you make mashed badadas?! How does that go?

                    1. re: kattyeyes

                      Great for applying heat to a facial abscess, sty....

                  2. re: kattyeyes

                    Hell, this was the 80s. No one used moist heat. Ice was the rage. Painkillers were to shut you up and the speed was so you'd go to class, and beer, oh yeah, beer. Plus, if you were lucky, and won that week, a guy on your floor would stop by with some weed. Not sure how I graduated, actually . . . .

                    1. re: MGZ

                      HA HA HA! Those were the days, my friend!