Author: pat frederick

Bob Newhart

Bob Newhart passed away recently –(born Sept 5, 1929; died July 18, 2024)—and the article from Facts.net details some things you may not have known about the legendary comedian.

From Facts.net:

Bob Newhart, a name synonymous with comedy, entertained audiences for decades with his unique style and wit. Ever wondered what made this legendary comedian tick? Bob Newhart was not just a comedian; he was an actor, author, and a television icon. From his early days as a stand-up comic to his memorable roles in TV shows like “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Newhart,” his career spanned over 60 years. But there was more to Bob than met the eye. Did you know he started as an accountant? Or that he won a Grammy for his first comedy album? Buckle up as we dive into 30 fascinating facts about Bob Newhart that will make you appreciate this comedy legend even more.

Early Life and Education

Bob Newhart, a beloved comedian and actor, had a fascinating background that shaped his career. Here are some intriguing facts about his early years.

Born on September 5, 1929, in Oak Park, Illinois, Bob Newhart’s full name was George Robert Newhart.

He attended St. Ignatius College Prep, a Jesuit high school in Chicago, where he developed his love for comedy.

Newhart graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 1952 with a degree in business management.

Before his comedy career, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

After his military service, he worked as an accountant and an advertising copywriter.

Breakthrough in Comedy

Bob Newhart’s entry into comedy was unconventional but led to significant success. Here are some key moments from his early comedy career.

Newhart’s comedy career began with a series of telephone conversations he recorded and sent to radio stations.

His debut comedy album, “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” released in 1960, became the first comedy album to hit number one on the Billboard charts.

The album won three Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, making Newhart the first comedian to achieve this honor.

His follow-up album, “The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back,” also reached number one on the Billboard charts.

Newhart’s unique deadpan delivery and stammering style set him apart from other comedians of his time.

Television Career

Bob Newhart’s success in comedy led to a prolific television career. Let’s explore some highlights from his time on TV.

In 1961, he starred in “The Bob Newhart Show,” a variety show that showcased his comedic talents.

From 1972 to 1978, he starred in the sitcom “The Bob Newhart Show,” playing psychologist Dr. Robert Hartley.

The show was a critical and commercial success, earning Newhart several Emmy nominations.

In 1982, he returned to television with “Newhart,” where he played innkeeper Dick Loudon. The show ran for eight seasons.

The series finale of “Newhart” is considered one of the greatest TV finales, featuring a surprise twist that delighted fans.

Film Appearances

While primarily known for his television work, Bob Newhart also made notable appearances in films. Here are some interesting facts about his film career.

Newhart made his film debut in the 1962 movie “Hell Is for Heroes,” starring Steve McQueen.

He voiced Bernard in Disney’s animated films “The Rescuers” (1977) and “The Rescuers Down Under” (1990).

In 2003, he appeared in the holiday classic “Elf,” playing Papa Elf alongside Will Ferrell.

Newhart also had roles in films like “Catch-22” (1970) and “In & Out” (1997).

His versatility as an actor allowed him to transition seamlessly between comedy and drama.

Awards and Honors

Bob Newhart’s contributions to entertainment had been recognized with numerous awards and honors. Here are some notable accolades he received.

In 1993, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Newhart was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 1993.

He won his first Primetime Emmy Award in 2013 for his guest role on “The Big Bang Theory.

In 2002, he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, one of the highest honors in comedy.

Newhart was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Television Critics Association.

Personal Life

Bob Newhart’s personal life was as interesting as his professional career. Here are some facts about his family and interests.

He married Virginia “Ginnie” Quinn in 1963, and they had four children together.

Newhart was a devout Catholic and credited his faith for helping him navigate the ups and downs of his career.

He was an avid golfer and participated in numerous celebrity golf tournaments.

Despite his fame, Newhart maintained a reputation for being humble and down-to-earth.

He continued to perform stand-up comedy and make guest appearances on television, proving that his humor was timeless.

Bob Newhart’s Legacy

Bob Newhart’s career was a testament to timeless humor and versatility. From his groundbreaking comedy albums to his iconic TV roles, he left an indelible mark on entertainment. His unique deadpan delivery and quick wit influenced countless comedians. Beyond the laughs, Newhart’s work ethic and humility earned him respect across the industry. Whether through “The Bob Newhart Show” or “Newhart,” his characters remain beloved. Even today, his performances continue to resonate with new generations. Bob Newhart wasn’t just a comedian; he was a cultural icon whose contributions shaped comedy as we know it. His legacy is a blend of laughter, innovation, and enduring appeal. As we reflect on his achievements, it’s clear that Bob Newhart’s impact on comedy will be celebrated for many years to come.

SOURCE: FACTS.NET

Weird Wednesdays: The Flintstone House, CA

This is definitely an usually house, but considering it’s in California, maybe not so much, lol!

From curbed.com:

The orange-and-purple home at 45 Berryessa Way in Hillsborough, located near a stretch of Interstate 280, has been fondly admired from afar for years. Fans of the unique abode, which bears a bulbous roof and dome-like rooms, have bestowed the circa-1976 property with the “Flintstone House” sobriquet due to its cartoonish, Stone Age appearance.

Florence Fang, former publisher of the San Francisco Examiner and chairwoman for the Independent Newspaper Group, bought the house for $2.8 million in 2017.

In lieu of using it as a primary residence, Fang turned the home into an entertaining space that lives up to its nickname, adorning the exterior with a series of whimsical yet arguably gaudy accents: Tyrannosaurus rex and brontosaurus statues stand next to aliens and their UFO. Fred Flintstone can be found flanking the entryway, with his catchphrase, “Yabba Dabba Doo,” on a nearby embankment. Barney and Betty Rubble are here, too. An astronaut stands on the lawn next to oversized mushrooms in blue, red, and green. There’s also a woolly mammoth, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, and a fish, suggesting the philosophy at play was “design like no one is watching.”

But people were watching.

The city of Hillsborough filed a complaint against Fang in San Mateo Superior Court in March of this year, accusing her of ignoring several stop-work orders and making landscape modifications without planning approvals or building permits. Last year, the city even fined her $200 for what it calls “a highly visible eyesore.”

In turn, Fang countersued the city. Her attorney, Angela Alioto, accused the city’s powers that be of “treating Mrs. Fang differently because she had a dream, and because she is Chinese.”

Fang allowed reporters into her home in April for an eyebrow-cocking press conference—and a tour of her recently revamped house, inside and out.

Here’s a look at the home embroiled in a modern Stone Age design controversy.

SOURCE: CURBED.COM

Welcome to Oligarch Island

I’ll be upfront about this.  I hate tv for the most part and don’t watch it.  However, my twisted little brain was awake last night prohibiting a blissful sleep and it conjured up a new reality show.  Well, okay, to be honest, not really new–just a new spin on an old idea.

I’d call it Oligarch Island.  You get all the rich, despotic so and so’s who want to control our lives so desperately and drop them on a remote island somewhere. No contact with the outer world at all.  They agree to put all their worldly goods into a pot—a trust fund—a winner take all type of thing.  Then they have to fight it out to see who becomes the “Last Man (or Woman) Standing”.  They don’t have to kill one another—just get the other contestants to cry “I GIVE UP”.  At that point, that last man or woman fires a signal flare and is rescued to become the King/Queen of the World. 

But like any good tv show–there’s a hidden twist!  The rest of us loot their trust fund, ignore the island—heck we could sink the island—and live happily ever after.

What do you think?

Pain Heals. Chicks Dig Scars. Glory Lasts Forever.

Today is Keanu Reeves’ birthday (born in 1964) and one of my all-time favorite movies is The Replacements.  The comedy details a bunch of misfits recruited to finish out the regular season of football during a players’ strike.  Reeve plays a washed-out college quarterback who redeems himself by uniting the team and leading them to victory. Gene Hackman plays the coach recruited to lead the misfits to win 3 out of the 4 remaining games to get into the playoffs. The team has never played with each other before—most are not even football players– but each brings something special to the game and they learn to unite and play as a team.

Contrast them with the striking professional players—a bunch of “bitchy millionaires” who at one point tell their fans during an interview that they know $8 million sounds like a lot of money, but they have to pay so much to their agent, and so much to their ex-wife…Then another player interrupts and asks the fans if they know how much insurance costs on a Mazzerati?  It’s all about money to them—not the love for the game.

It’s a rough start for the Replacements, losing the first game, but they rally in the second and third games and they actually have a shot at the playoffs.  The fans are loving these replacement players too—so much so, that some of the striking players return for the last game.  (Bruised egos, if you ask me.) That causes the owner to strong arm the coach, who truly believes in his quarterback (Reeves), to replace Reeves with the “star” quarterback.  The first half is a disaster because the prima donna refuses to be a team player.  The coach benches him and Reeves shows up to help the team win.

Happy Birthday Keanu!

DIY: Beach Crafts

Even though I am NOT a beach person, I can appreciate the many crafts items that can be made with things found at the beach.

Sand Bowls

Sand is mixed with adhesive and allowed to drip and dry over a container.  (These can then be stacked as shown in the photo.  The details can be found at designboom.com)

Shell Candles

Driftwood Fish

Clamshell Wreath

More Ideas can be found at bigdiyideas.com.

Chapel on the Rock

I found this article about the Chapel on the Rock: The St. Catharine of Sienna Chapel in Allenspark, Colorado on the inspiredimperfection.com website. 

Monsignor Joseph Bosetti came across a large rock formation just east of Rocky Mountain National Park in 1916. Inspired by the scripture Matthew 16:18, “Upon this rock I’ll build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” Bosetti envisioned a church built on the rock.

He fought for years to not only raise the funds needed to build the church, but to keep the rock intact. Eventually, the land on which Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel stands today was generously donated by Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Malo to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver.

Chapel on the Rock was designed by Denver architect Jacques Benedict, and built by the Coulihan Brothers and Charlie Miller from Allenspark. Native stone from the surrounding area was used in the Chapel construction, which was completed in 1936. The chapel was dedicated by Archbishop Urban Vehr in honor of Saint Catherine of Siena.

The stunning, colorful stained-glass window shows St. Catherine holding the body of Christ on the cross. It was designed by the world-renowned Franz Mayer and Sons Glass Works in Munich, Germany and was installed in 1937.

The property was named Camp St. Malo and was used as a boys’ camp led by priests and seminarians until the 1970s when it opened to girl campers as well. In 1984, Camp St. Malo closed temporarily then reopened in 1987 as the St. Malo Religious Retreat and Conference Center.

In 1993, Pope John Paul II prayed at Chapel on the Rock during his visit to Colorado for World Youth Day. During his visit, he blessed the chapel and later hiked the trail on the St. Malo Camp property, which was later renamed the John Paul II Trail.

In 2011, the 60,000 square foot conference and retreat center behind the church was burned to the ground in a fire, but thankfully the Chapel on the Rock survived untouched. Then in 2013, the 100-year rains produced massive flooding and created a devastating 5.0 mile landslide. The mud and rocks slid ferociously down Mount Meeker to the foot of the chapel, destroying the land and the historic Pope John Paul II Trail, but once again sparing the church.

The Archdiocese of Denver is currently working to preserve Chapel on the Rock, restore the Pope Saint John Paul II trail, and build a new visitor and heritage center.

Know Before You Go

Chapel on the Rock is located on the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway at 10758 Colorado Route 7, Allenspark, Colorado 80510 in Boulder County.

The Chapel on the Rock, officially Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel, sits on the grounds of the Saint Malo Retreat, Conference, and Spiritual Center of the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver.

It is open to the public every day from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm weather permitting. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Mass is held at the chapel every Wednesday at 12:00 noon.

There is a small, rough, dirt and gravel parking area outside the chapel. There is also limited parking near Saint William Lodge.

There are no restrooms inside the chapel, but there are restrooms inside Saint William Lodge.

Boulder County designated the Chapel a historic site in 1999.

SOURCE: INSPIREDIMPERFECTION.COM Jennifer Bourn

Happy National Frankenstein Day!

Young Frankenstein is one of my favorite Mel Brooks movies.  Mental Floss details 15 thing we may not know about the movie.

From MENTAL FLOSS:

In 1974, Mel Brooks gave the world Young Frankenstein—a movie that would set the bar for all future horror comedies to come.

Studio Executives tried Tricking Director Mel Brooks into Shooting the Film in Color

By the mid-‘70s, black and white cinema was an endangered species. Nevertheless, Brooks felt strongly about replicating the feel of Universal’s classic Frankenstein films by going colorless. However, not everybody shared his vision. Columbia Studios’ brass thought the style was unmarketable and, as Brooks explains in this delightful interview (skip to 47:40), used some slippery tactics in an attempt to get their way:

“They said ‘Okay, we’ll make it in black and white, but on color stock so that we can show it in Peru, which just got color. And I said ‘No. No because you’ll screw me. You will say this and then, in order to save the company, you will risk a lawsuit and you will print everything in color. It’s gotta be on… black & white thick film.”

Thankfully, Brooks prevailed, though 20th Century Fox wound up taking charge of the project.

Star and Co-Writer Gene Wilder Convinced Brooks to Forgo his Usual Cameo Appearance

Like Alfred Hitchcock, Brooks usually gave himself a part in his own films, from Blazing Saddles’ loopy governor to the wine-selling Rabbi of Robin Hood: Men in Tights. These characters regularly broke the fourth wall and “winked” at the audience, something Wilder felt would clash with Young Frankenstein’s tone. So, as a condition of his taking on the lead role, Wilder made Brooks agree to remain off-camera. However, the director did provide some howling: As Frederick Frankenstein (Wilder) takes his first ride to the family castle, the distant wolf cry which startles him is a sound Brooks actually vocalized himself.

Early On, We Hear the Exact Same Conversation Repeated in Both English and German

En route to Romania, our protagonist catches a train to New York, whereupon he hears an American couple bickering. In the very next scene, Frederick (now on a Transylvania-bound locomotive) witnesses a European pair having an identical, word-for-word exchange in German

One of Igor’s Best Moments Inspired a Hit Aerosmith Song

“Walk this way!” Marty Feldman’s Igor instructs his master, who proceeds to copy the hunchback’s shuffling gait. Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler found this line hilarious and repurposed it as the title of a track about high school lovers.

Hans Delbrück Was a Real Person

As Frederick readies his monster, he sends Igor to fetch a very special brain which rests in a jar labeled “Hans Delbruck: Scientist and Saint”. The actual Hans Delbrück (1848-1929) was an accomplished military historian whose son, Max, won a Nobel Prize for his work with viruses.

Several Props Had Previously Appeared in the Masterful 1931 Frankenstein Film

Taking his feature-length tribute to the next level, Brooks included much of the faux lab equipment used in that earlier picture.

Teri Garr Based Her Character’s Voice on Cher’s Hairdresser

Garr made several appearances on The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour and used Cher’s German wig-stylist as a model for ditzy lab assistant Inga’s heavy accent.

Brooks Hired Kenneth Mars After the Actor Signed Off on an Odd Costuming Choice

The two had already collaborated in 1968’s The Producers, and while casting Young Frankenstein, Brooks offered Mars the role of grumpy Inspector Kemp, but not before pitching an eccentric wardrobe gimmick that ultimately wound up on-screen.

“He [said],” Mars later reminisced, “‘Let me ask you this… if you’re wearing an eye patch and you’ve got a monocle on top of the eye patch, is that too much?’ I said ‘Of course not.’ He said ‘Good, you’re hired!’”

Gene Hackman Specifically Asked Wilder for a Part in Young Frankenstein Because he “Wanted to Try Comedy”

According to the movie’s Blu-Ray commentary, Hackman—who’d been thrice nominated for an Academy Award (and won one in 1971)—learned about Young Frankenstein through his frequent tennis partner Wilder and requested a role. Ultimately, ‘Harold’—the lonely blind character he briefly portrayed—sparked one of the most memorable sequences in comedic history.

Peter Boyle Had to Wear a Special Pad Over His Crotch to Avoid Getting Scalded During the Famous Blind Man Scene

During their hysterical encounter, sightless Harold winds up accidentally dumping a bowlful of hot soup onto the poor creature’s lap. Fortunately, Boyle’s protective gear kept him from having to method act his way through the ordeal.

A Huge Percentage of the Movie Had to Be Deleted

“For every joke that worked, there were three that fell flat,” says Brooks, who whittled Young Frankenstein down to its current runtime after observing several mixed reactions from test audiences. This cut material included a clip in which Frederick’s relatives listen to a recorded will left by his great grandfather Beauvort von Frankenstein whose message starts skipping and nonchalantly repeats the phrase “Up Yours!”

In addition, the “Puttin’ on the Ritz” number was nearly axed as well. Brooks reportedly felt that having Dr. Frankenstein and his monster tap dance to an old Irving Berlin song seemed “too crazy.” Hearing this, Wilder—who though it brilliant—snapped and came “close to rage and tears” before Brooks unexpectedly changed his tune. “I wanted to see how hard you’d fight for it,” said the director, “And I knew if you fought hard enough, it was right…You did, so it’s in.”

Wilder was Constantly Cracking Up During Takes

According to Cloris Leachman, “He killed every take [with his laughter] and nothing was done about it!” Shots would frequently have to be repeated as many as fifteen times before Wilder could finally summon a straight face. But, to be fair, he certainly wasn’t the only one who couldn’t always keep it together.

Young Frankenstein sees Marty Feldman’s comic genius on full display, which was often more than his castmates could handle. For example, the scene where Frederick’s fiancée Elizabeth (Madeline Kahn) greets him at the castle generated a lengthy gag reel because Feldman—whose character starts ravenously gnawing on her mink scarf—kept everyone in stitches with his manic over-acting.

Brooks’ Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein were the 1st and 3rd highest-grossing films of 1974, respectively

“It’s good to be the king!” Before this pivotal year, the funnyman’s earlier efforts—The Producers and The Twelve Chairs (1970)—netted mixed reviews and had lackluster box office performances. But after turning out these back-to-back hits at breakneck speed, Brooks’ reputation as one of Hollywood’s greatest comedic directors was secured.

Leachman Was Asked to Reprise Her Role for the ‘Young Frankenstein’ Musical

After getting eliminated from ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, Brooks offered the 82-year-old actress a chance to take a second stab at playing Frau Blücher for his on-stage Young Frankenstein musical, but the show’s run ended before her schedule freed up.

Throughout the Shoot, Brooks Offered Wilder Directing Advice

Knowing his star dreamed of one day sitting in the director’s chair, Brooks made a point to give him as many pointers as possible before shooting concluded. Wilder reminisced, “Mel would say, ‘Do you know the trouble I’m in because I didn’t shoot that close-up? Don’t do that.’ I would say, ‘To whom are you talking?’ ‘You, when you’re directing.’”

Though both headed various productions after Young Frankenstein, they’d never collaborate on another flick. Nevertheless, the pair’s shared legacy is unimpeachable. All three of Brooks’ movies in which Wilder appeared—The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein—have been selected for preservation by the National Film Registry and included on the American Film Institute’s “100 Funniest Movies of All Time” list.

SOURCE: MENTAL FLOSS  MARK MANCINI

My Favorite Spy

Today is Melissa McCarthy’s birthday, born in 1970, and I do not know her politics, but I do enjoy the movies and series I have seen her in—Spy, The Heat, and Mike and Molly.  In Spy, she plays an agent for the government who was tricked into providing support for a handsome agent.  When he is neutralized, she is sent abroad for a low-key surveillance mission where she is assigned aliases such as housewife and cat lady, which she rejects and shows off her true spy capabilities (with some hilarious, but impressive results.) I found an article on factinate.com her describing 42 things we may not know about her, and I wanted to share a few of these.  

From Factinate:

Why Buy It When You Can Make It

Thanks to her fashion background, McCarthy designs the majority of the dresses she wears at award shows and premieres for her movies.

A Little Heads up Would Have Been Nice

In 2011, McCarthy and Joshua Jackson announced the nominees for various Emmy categories, but apparently, no one told her she was up for an award for Mike & Molly. When Jackson announced her name, she was genuinely shocked and so overcome with emotions that she could barely get through the rest of the nominees.

A Dress for Every Occasion

She returned to her fashion roots in 2015 when she launched her own fashion line, Melissa McCarthy Seven7, which offers reasonably priced clothing options for women from size 4 to 28.

Makeover: Diet Edition

After landing the role of Sookie St. James in Gilmore Girls, McCarthy decided to go on an all-liquid diet that resulted in her losing 70 lbs (32 kg) in four months! According to McCarthy, she would never do it again because it drove her crazy, and she would rather have a beer and a burger than starve herself. I’m with ya there, Melissa!

A Very Canadian Heist

In 2011, McCarthy and Mumolo sold a pitch to Paramount Pictures for a movie that has yet to be made and I can’t figure out why. The film would’ve starred McCarthy as a woman who tries to steal the Stanley Cup. Can someone at Paramount finance this movie already!

They Said What?

McCarthy admitted that she was “shocked and heartbroken” after her sitcom Mike & Molly was canceled after 6 seasons. After all, it was one of her first starring roles and she’d achieved much of her film success while still appearing on the show. One of the weirder rumors that was spread after the cancellation was that the show had been axed because McCarthy had lost too much weight after taking diet pills. These rumors were quickly disproven and found to have originated from—you guessed it—a manufacturer of diet pills.

You can read more facts about Melissa at the factinate.com website!

SOURCE: FACTINATE.COM

Brilliant Uses for Eggshells

This article comes from the ruralsprout.com website:

An eggshell is more than just a useful container for the nutritious yolk and egg white inside: it is a prime example of nature’s perfect packaging. Eggshells are beneficial for us too, consisting of 95% calcium carbonate, making them very similar to our own bones and teeth. It comes as no surprise then, that eggshells help to strengthen our bones and protect our tooth enamel. If we only used the shells, rather than throwing them out.

You may not have heard it yet, but just as you can eat the peels of organic bananas or lemons, the entire egg can also be eaten. The shells are an amazing source of calcium, just half an eggshell provides you with your daily recommended calcium intake. It makes practical sense, not only to feed the shells to your egg-laying chickens, but for you to utilize their unusual strengths too. If you raise backyard chickens, you are likely to go through hundreds of eggs a year. Save those shells from entering the landfill and use them in your own home and garden instead.

Clever Uses for Eggshells

Use eggshells to start seedlings indoors

In the pursuit of a plastic-free life and garden, finding a sustainable solution for starting seeds isn’t always easy. In the past, people reused what they had, yogurt containers or the like, but at some point, plastic pots break down and need to be thrown away/recycled. Of course, there are peat pots, newspaper pots, gourd shells and wooden flats as examples to eco-friendly planting options, though eggshells come out as the garden winner. Fill the shell halfway with soil, carefully place your seeds and wait for them to grow. To keep the eggshells in place, place them back in the eggshell carton. When the plants are large enough, you can transplant the entire pot to the garden, where the shell will break down, providing added calcium to the soil around it.

Garden mulch

After a hearty breakfast, or the baking of a delicious cake, crush your eggshells and carry them straight out into the garden! As they slowly decompose, they will not only help to aerate the soil as they improve water flow, the eggshells will also release calcium over time. The finer you crush them, the faster they will break down.

Nourish your tomatoes with a boost of calcium.

While you can place eggshells directly under your tomatoes as you transplant them, sometimes a volunteer tomato plant from last season pops up and you wish to save it. Think of it as a survivor, and give it some extra love and attention. The addition of calcium to your tomato plants will help prevent blossom-end rot (not a disease, but a physiological disorder created by a calcium imbalance). For the same reason, eggshells are extremely beneficial for your squashes, peppers, cabbage and broccoli too!

Feed eggshells to your chickens

If you want healthy eggs from your chickens, just toss the eggshells right back at them! Laying hens need plenty of calcium, and if you find that your chickens are in fact eating their own eggs, it may be because of a vitamin deficiency. Dry out the eggshells at room temperature, and when you have collected enough, go ahead and crush them lightly, then lay out the shells thinly on a baking sheet. Bake the shells until brittle, 275 degrees for ten minutes or so, then crush some more and serve to the chooks in small amounts.

Use crushed eggshells in the garden to deter pests

Ducks will gladly dine on slugs, but you can’t always allow them in your garden. In that case, try roughly crushed eggshells around the base of plants to deter snails and slugs who wish to devour your lovely greens.

Add them to the compost

Again, it is the calcium content that comes into play. In order to increase the quality of your compost, you will want to add all the biodegradable matter that you can, eggshells included. Having a compost pile reduces your trash and helps the garden too.

Wild bird food

Just as you can feed your chickens, you can also give a little support to the wild birds. The same processes apply: bake, then crush the shells into bite-sized pieces, and sprinkle in their feed mix or on the ground for them to find.

Boil eggshells in your coffee

This is wonderful for two reasons.  Firstly, if you are making campfire coffee over high heat, crushed eggshells will help keep the grounds from boiling over. This isn’t a common problem unless you are roughing it, but now you know how to avoid a ruined coffee if the situation ever arises.

Secondly, eggshells added to coffee make for a less acidic cup. When you experience the overwhelming bitterness from a cup of cheap coffee, or from a pot that was brewed too long, eggshells are here to save the day. The powdered, or finely broken up shell, of just one egg is enough to make 4 cups of fantastic coffee. Try it. It is a great way to get some calcium with your brew, if you are sipping dairy-free.

Toss eggshells in your bone broth or stock pot

Whether you are stirring up an enormous pot of bone broth or a hearty vegetable stock, adding eggshells is extremely beneficial. It is not just calcium that you will be receiving, eggshells also contain small amounts of other minerals:

magnesium

fluoride

selenium

zinc

iron

phosphorus

It won’t change the flavor, though you will feel the nutritional boost!

Add them to your apple cider vinegar

Add some dried eggshells to a jar of apple cider vinegar, with the mother, and let nature science do it’s work. The end result will be a tincture that relieves acid reflux, treats minor skin irritations and itchy skin.

Homemade eggshell toothpaste

Once you make the decision to stop using standard minty fluoride toothpaste with a myriad of unpronounceable ingredients, there is no looking back. You’ll then find all sorts of options to keep your teeth happy and clean – from activated charcoal, to clay and zeolite, all the way to baking soda with coconut oil and essential oils. Remember from up above that eggshells are similar to our own teeth? This gives us great reason to make a very fine eggshell powder toothpaste to brush our pearly whites, holding cavities at bay.

Make an eggshell face mask

To nourish and tighten your skin: crush your dried eggshells in a mortar and pestle to make a fine powder. Then whisk an egg white till it is somewhat stiff and add the eggshell powder. Spread it over your face and allow it to dry. Wash the mask off with cold water and enjoy your free facial treatment.

Whiten your laundry

If your whites are not so bright as they used to be and chlorine is a no-go in your natural laundry routine, why not try the method of putting eggshells into a tightly woven bag (or old stocking) with a few slices of lemon?  It doesn’t cost much, if anything, and is definitely worth a try.

Scrub your tough-to-clean pots

In a pinch, you can crush a few eggshells into a dirty pot, along with soap and hot water to get it clean. The shells will break up and remove the dirt as they are wonderfully abrasive. You can use crushed eggshells in hard-to-clean vases as well for a more glistening glass surface.

Eat your eggshells

The best way to eat your eggshells? Powder them finely and add to juices, smoothies, soups and stews. Don’t go overboard though, if you are already getting enough calcium in your diet, you may want to find another use for them. Half an eggshell a day covers your basic calcium needs, more than that is unnecessary.

Why eat eggshells?

Besides the obvious benefits of bio-available calcium coming from free-range eggshells, and the fact that they improve bone density, as well as helping remineralize teeth, eggshells are known to relieve joint pain and inflammation.

That’s a lot of glowing health when you eat the entire egg!

What kind of eggshells to use?

For the sake of eating a healthy, natural diet, you’ll want to make sure that the eggshells you are about to consume come from organic or free-range chickens. Eggs from factory farms are far less nutritious, and may carry hidden pathogens which you will want to avoid.

If you don’t have your own hens, purchase from a local farmer or the farmers market for the healthiest farm fresh eggs possible.  And yes, you can do this with duck eggs or turkey eggs, even quail eggs too.


SOURCE: RURALSPROUT.COM