FitSugar

Would You Use Urine Perfume?

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:50:00 PDT

An artist going by the name of Cherry Tree tells AOL that she makes perfume from her own urine, using the same fermentation process we're more used to observing with liquor. Tree says that by putting sugar in her stored urine and then leaving it to ferment, she creates alcohol, which she then distills to make her fragrances.

Healthy peoples' urine is sterile, and creating alcohol with it and further distilling the resultant should make the stuff about as clean as something can be, but the idea is still a little bothersome. Tree points out, however, that some traditional perfume also uses animal secretions, from deer and civet cat musk to ambergris. If most of us aren't opposed to those animalics, why are we so disturbed by our own? With that in mind, would you ever give Tree's urine-based fragrances a sniff?

5 Pee Cleaners From the Bathroom and Laundry Room!

PetSugar — Mon, 17 May 2010 04:00:05 PDT

Well, well, well, there's still time to get all cleaned up even if you put off your weekend chores like I did. In addition to the plethora of surprising cleansers found in the kitchen, there are even more in the bathroom and laundry room. In fact, I'll bet you have some already in there. Sop up this knowledge and start the slideshow.

DIY Carpet Deodorizer in Just Three Steps

PetSugar — Tue, 11 May 2010 10:00:19 PDT

OK, so you've used my DIY advice to clean the carpet but how do you keep it smelling fresh day after day? A pal tipped me off to this - she doesn't even have a pet, just likes some good, green fun - and, since it's all natural, there's no reason why a fur-filled, carpeted home couldn't try this, too!To make a lasting batch, grab a metal or glass container with a perforated top (like this one that closes) and add:

1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
16 drops of your favorite, pet safe essential oil

To make in smaller proportions even more eco-tastically, wash and reuse an empty, old spice container and mix 1/8 cup baking soda with 1/8 cup cornstarch and then add 4–5 drops of essential oil afterwards.

Do Clean Pet Urine With This!

PetSugar — Fri, 07 May 2010 06:00:04 PDT

Big smiles for this bully! A devilish one illustrated which cleaning product you should always steer clear of for pee stains but what about the right stuff? While white vinegar is a solid liquid go-to for pet-related messes, since it neutralizes the ammonia in the urine, I've got a DIY concoction for major carpet stains.

Don't get mixed up so mix up these ingredients instead - find out and

As I advised before, a 50-50 mixture of white vinegar and water should be liberally poured in the stain spot.
Using an old toothbrush (for small stains) or a scrubby brush (for larger ones), work the mixture all the way into the carpet.
Blot up the excess liquid with folded over paper towels. Don't rub, but instead push down on the paper towels with a firm hand or foot until it's mostly dry.
Neutralize the process and soak up the excess liquid with sprinkles of baking soda over the affected area.
Add about one teaspoon of Dawn, the miracle worker, to 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide and pour on top of the baking soda.
Using the same brush, work this entire mixture down deep.
Let dry, vacuum and you're all done!

(Note: To be safe, spot test in a hidden area before getting ready to work your cleaning magic.)

Don't Ever Clean Pet Urine With This

PetSugar — Wed, 05 May 2010 04:00:30 PDT

Even the best-trained dog can have an accident. It happens. However, it's up to you to fix that boo boo the right way. All-natural enzyme cleansers are great, but sometimes the mess needs heavy-duty cleaning. While you may be inclined to grab the strongest product from your supplies, there's one you should always steer clear of when sopping up the puddles.

Do you have any clue what that is? Think about it and then learn what and why to not choose it when you

Dog urine is made of a combination of ammonia, bacteria, hormones, and uric acid. As the urine breaks down, the ammonia concentration increases and sulfur-containing organic chemical substances known as mercaptans are then produced. If mercaptans are in the air, even at low concentrations, they are very noticeable - they are the same substances that give skunk odor and rotting cabbage a trademark stench!

For this reason, you should never clean up his pee pee with ammonia-based products. Similarly to how dogs love to mark and revisit old spots, the scent of ammonia can trick him into thinking it's an OK, previously peed upon place when potty time comes again. I'd even go so far as to not using this in a pet-filled home anyway as to not confuse a dog into using the freshly mopped kitchen floor as a prime bathroom break destination.

India's Next Big Export: Cow Urine Soda

YumSugar — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:00:35 PST

Holy cow. India's oldest, biggest nationalist Hindu group, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), plans to introduce a new soft drink made from cow urine.

The radical RSS group has long campaigned against beverages such as Coke and Pepsi, foreign imports that it believes to be a corrupt influence and a symbol of Western imperialism. In India, bovine urine is considered medicinal and is, like the cow itself, seen as sacred, particularly at religious festivals. In some traditional rituals, cow urine is consumed to purify those who belong to the lowest rung of the Hindu caste system. Although the group hasn't confirmed flavors or pricing for the drink, to be known as gau jal, or "cow water" in Sanskrit, the elixir will be mixed with aloe vera, gooseberry, and other herbs that allegedly combat diabetes, cancer, and other diseases. The RSS and its offshoots have been promoting gau jal as a cure-all since as early as 2001, but Om Prakash, the head of the RSS's Cow Protection Department, said the drink will be introduced "very soon, maybe by the end of this year." He added:

Don't worry, it won't smell like urine and will be tasty, too. It's going to be very healthy. It won't be like carbonated drinks and would be devoid of any toxins. We're going to give [American soda brands] good competition as our drink is good for mankind. We may also think of exporting it.

How do you feel about this? I think it's disgusting, but at the same time, I've promised myself that I will try anything once. Would you drink cow urine for its purported health benefits?

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Why Does Asparagus Affect Your Urine?

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:00:00 PST

This Valentine's Day, maybe some of you are saving money by cooking a romantic dinner at home. If you're trying to get the love flowing between you and your partner, maybe you're considering steaming some asparagus since it's considered an aphrodisiac. While its phallic shape is said to “stir up lust in man and woman,” it can also stir up some interesting issues with your body. Forty to 50 percent of asparagus eaters experience an odd side effect after eating this green veggie - smelly urine. Don't stop eating asparagus though if this happens to you, because the effect is completely harmless. Plus you'd be missing out on a really nutritious veggie that's packed with vitamins A, C, K, and folate.

If you're curious to know why this happens,

This odiferous phenomenon happens during digestion. There's a sulfur compound in this veggie known as mercaptan, which is also found in rotten eggs, onions, garlic, and the secretions of skunks. After eating asparagus, your body breaks down the veggie, and the compound gets released, causing the odor you smell when you use the bathroom. As I've said before, it's nothing to worry about, so this Valentine's Day, don't let this little issue prevent you from sharing a few spears with your lover.

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Three Common Penile Problems, Part II

DearSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:00:00 PDT

Yesterday you learned about Peyronie's disease, one of three common penile problems that some men have to deal with, but today I'm going to talk about Hypospadias. This condition is when the urinary meatus, the hole on the penis where urine and ejaculate pass, is abnormally positioned. It's usually just short of the tip of the penis but can be as extreme as being positioned underneath the penis or as far back as the scrotum. Hypospadias is actually fairly common, affecting approximately 1 in every 300 newborn boys (this condition is present at birth) so if you want to learn more about it, just

The only way to treat this condition is to have surgery to reposition the urethral opening, and if need be, straighten out the penis. In most cases, the surgery is successful and results in normal or near-normal function and appearance with no future problems, although it is possible for a meatus to form under the penis where the new urinary channel was created, which can cause leakage. If that were to occur, another surgery would be necessary. Although this condition isn't life threatening, it can most definitely be an emotional burden.

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What's the Deal With That Asparagus Aroma?

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:00:00 PDT

I love asparagus, and it's incredibly good for you - full of vitamin K, plus A and C and folate. But if you've ever eaten a lot of it, you might have noticed a rather odd side effect. There's really no delicate way to say this, so I'll just come right out with it: Eating asparagus can make your pee smell funny.

It doesn't happen to everyone, but if it happens to you, don't worry: The effect is totally harmless. The odor is merely a byproduct of digesting the veggie. According to WebMD, a compound called mercaptan, present in the green stalks, causes the ammonia- or sulfur-like smell to be released.

It is estimated that 40 to 50 percent of people experience this effect from asparagus; it's all a matter of genetics. If you've never noticed it, you may be immune, or you may simply be unable to smell it. The odor could appear the next day or in a matter of minutes. But aside from the obvious unpleasantness, the aroma of asparagus is nothing to be concerned about. Now aren't you glad we had this little chat?

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You Asked: How Many Times Should I Pee Each Day?

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:30:00 PDT

You're asking and I'm answering . . .

Dear FitSugar,

I know I'm supposed to stay hydrated and drink at least eight, eight-ounce glasses of water a day, but if I do, I end up peeing at least once every hour or more. Is this normal? How many times should I be going to the bathroom?

- Powder Room Patty

Yup, totally normal - I also go to the restroom a lot during the day. There is no real set number of times that you should be running to the loo, because it totally depends on your fluid intake. You drink water to replenish the water that gets lost through perspiration, excretion, and other bodily functions, and you don't necessarily need to be downing eight glasses of water each day. The amount depends on your lifestyle, whether you exercise a lot, or if you live in a warm climate. Check out Fit's Calculator to figure out how much water you should be drinking each day.

There's another way to find out if you're getting enough water. To find out what it is just

You can also figure out if you're getting enough water by checking the color of your urine. It should be clear or close to it. If it is, then you're doing a great job of keeping yourself hydrated. If it's closer to neon yellow, then add a glass or two of water to your diet. If your pee is clear and you're running to the lady's room more often than you'd like (which it sounds like you are), then cut back on your water consumption by a cup or two.

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