BUTTER'S GOOD FOR MORE THAN EATING

Weird household uses for butter By Bridget Creel Published September 14, 2015.   

Have you ever tried convincing someone that butter is part of a healthy diet? He or she was probably skeptical, most likely because of news coverage that advances the idea that saturated fat, which is found in butter, is bad for your health. That may have been the general consensus several decades ago, but based on recent studies, it's widely agreed upon that butter can be a stepping stone on your journey toward a healthy lifestyle. The latest about butter shows that it can be consumed in moderation because it contains fat-soluble vitamins, which are key to maintaining a healthy weight. Butter is mainly composed of fat: 70 percent of butter is saturated fat, about 25 percent of butter is monounsaturated fat, and about 2.3 percent is polyunsaturated fat. Although butter does contain some trans fats, dairy trans fats are considered healthy, unlike trans fats from processed foods. The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) found in butter is associated with several health benefits - it may reduce the risk of cancer, promote weight loss, and improve cardiovascular health. The vitamin and mineral breakdown of butter demonstrates that it is a nutrient-dense food. It provides vitamins A, D, E, B12, and K2, some of which have antioxidant properties that help with health problems. When choosing which butter to buy, opt for the grass-fed variety. Studies show that grass-fed butter has more nutrients than grain-fed butter in terms of healthy fat content, fat-soluble vitamins, and antioxidants. Now that you know its ok to consume butter in moderate quantities, check out some other handy uses for this common kitchen spread. 1.  Untangling Jewelry  When that dainty gold necklace gets knots in it, don't fret. Simply apply a little bit of butter to the knot and use a pin or needle to untangle the gold. Then wash with a little soapy water and voila! This worked wonders on a delicate gold chain my husband gave to me. 2.  Removing Tree Sap  We live in a pine forest, so sap on our clothing and the car windshield is a common occurrence. Apply a little bit of butter and then wash the affected area to remove sap. 3.  Removing Gum in Hair  A little bit of butter will remove even the toughest gum-entangled locks. My mother did this trick on my hair. And the butter is great as a conditioner, too! 4.  Cheese Preservative  Want that to keep that expensive cheese from getting moldy?  Adding a light coating of butter to the cut side of the cheese will keep the mold at bay and make it last longer in the fridge. Try this with soft and expensive cheeses so they don't go to waste.