I am in love with olive oil. No, really. In fact, my buy everything local plans are often dashed because of two things - olive oil (which I’ve never heard of anyone producing in Vermont) and bananas. I’d rather do without bananas…but don’t take away my evoo!

Here are 10 ways you can incorporate olive into your life in a frugal and green way - yes, I know that olive oil is expensive compared to other cooking oils, but when compared to lotions and other items, it’s cheaper and better for you! There isn’t one paraben in olive oil!

Anyway, here’s the list…

1. Make -up remover/wrinkle remover. Now, I don’t wear make up, but from what I’ve been told by my friends who do, olive oil is a wonderful remover. In addition, rubbing a little olive oil in underneath eyes and on other potential “wrinkly” places actually helps remove (plump up?) wrinkles!

2. Pedicure agent. File your rough heals and callouses down a bit, then rub olive oil on them. Put on a pair of socks and wait for the magic! A little olive oil every night before bed rubbed into feet can promise smoother, softer feet in a week’s time.

3. Ear ache relief. A little warm olive oil dropped into a tot’s ear can soothe an earache.

4. Olive oil and sea salt make a great exfoliating scrub for anywhere on your bod - added to the bath, they make a great after gardening soother.

5. A great replacement for shaving cream or oil - soothes sore, razor burned skin.

6. Mixed 3 to 1 with lemon juice, olive oil makes a great furniture polish.

7. Rub into leather - anything - shoes, a catcher’s mitt or a belt - to restore and make supple again. Just test a small spot first to make sure it doesn’t discolor it!

8. Protect garden tools. Give tools a quick once-over with a wire brush after their last use to remove any rust or other grit. Then wipe down with or dip in olive oil. Repeat this treatment after every use and tools will never rust!

9. A little olive oil rubbed into the ends of hair can help prevent split ends. Go lightly on all over treatments - hair can easily get a little too oily!

10. Drizzle over pizza or pasta - yum!:-)