QUESTION: I noticed a number of different uses for olive oil on your website. Which is the best olive oil to buy? What is the difference between virgin, extra-virgin oil, etc.?
— Joshua
Answer: Extra-virgin olive oil (the best of the best) is produced by the first pressing of the olive fruit, and is extracted without using heat (cold pressed) or chemicals. Extra-virgin olive oil has less than one per cent acid. On the other hand, the olives used to make virgin olive oil are a lower quality, because the olives are riper and the acid is a little higher. Refined olive oil has a high acid level, over three per cent and is made by refining virgin olive oil. Pure olive oil often comes from the second pressing of the olives or pressing leftover olive remains. The colour is light and the health properties and taste don’t compare with extra-virgin olive oil. Note: Sometimes a bottle of "olive oil" will have the label "light" or "extra light" olive oil. This oil is the lowest grade of olive oil and made using chemical processes.
Extra Tidbit: Store olive oil in a cool, dark place. Light and heat are olive oil’s worst enemies.
Question: Ever since I started having children I notice that my hair is dry and brittle. I can’t afford fancy salon treatments. Do you have any homemade suggestions of something that I can use to condition my hair while the kids are napping?
— Louise
Answer: Olive oil is the queen of repairing dry, frizzy, damaged hair. Next time you are in the shower pour two tbsp. olive oil onto your scalp. Work the oil through your hair. Wait five minutes and rinse. Wash your hair as normal using mild shampoo.
Extra Tidbit: Heating the oil before pouring it onto your scalp is even better and leaving the oil on for 30 minutes is a plus if you can spare the time.
Question: I have a stainless steel-looking fridge; it’s not the real thing. Over the holidays, while I was out, someone cleaned it for me. It is streaky and the colour has actually darkened. It is no longer the same as the stove. Some products I have under my kitchen sink are Windex, Febreeze disinfectant spray and Lysol Disinfecting Wipes. I’m sure they used one of these. There is also Weiman Stainless Cleaner, which is what I always use. So I tried to fix this and began with a dish cloth and dish detergent and wiped down the fridge, then the stainless cleaner. I can’t get the streaks or lighten the colour at all. Any suggestions you may have will be greatly appreciated.
— Karen
Answer: If possible, contact the person who cleaned the fridge to find out what they used and ask the manufacturer if anything will repair the damage. If no suggestions are made, the product that I would start with is white vinegar to remove all residues and strip the cleaning products. You can use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (test first). Next put a small amount of olive oil (or the stainless cleaner that you typically use) on a very soft cloth and polish the fridge by wiping the front along the grain. Remove all of the excess.
Three-ingredient olive oil soap recipe!
You will need to wear safety gloves and goggles and work in a ventilated area. A kitchen scale is also required.
Measure and set aside 15 ounces of olive oil. Into a separate thick plastic bowl, measure and weigh five ounces of cold water and carefully add two ounces of 100 per cent lye (never pour the water into the lye; always add lye to the water). Stir until dissolved. Slowly stir in olive oil with a wooden spoon until mixture resembles vanilla pudding or you notice traces or lines in the mixture (this may take up to one hour). Pour into plastic or silicone molds. Cover with lids and tea towels (use a light plastic cutting board if you don’t have a lid). Uncover after 48 hours. When soap is firm, gently remove from molds and cut into bars. Leave for four weeks to cure. After you have mastered basic Olive Oil Soap, get creative; add a variety of essential oils, colours, herbs, oatmeal, chocolate chips, cinnamon, etc.
Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.
Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca
