10/16/12

One of the new items clogging up junk drawers is the small, portable flash drive. These little drives shouldn't be tossed when you don't have a need for them. First, erase all the files and data that might be on the drive. Then find a local school where fast Internet access may not be prevalent. Many students who do not have lightning-speed Internet access have a hard time sending electronic files from home to school. By giving schools your old flash drives, you can help kids do homework.

10/15/12

According to Just Label It, the five "must avoid" products that are likely to contain genetically modified foods or ingredients include corn, soy, canola, cotton and sugar made from beets -- not sugar made from cane, which is not genetically modified. If you do buy products with any of these ingredients, one way to be 100 percent sure they're not genetically modified is to look for the USDA certified organic mark, which prohibits the use of genetic engineering.

10/14/12

Instead of pouring your leftover sports drink down the drain, give it to a sick plant. Wilting houseplants can be brought back to life thanks to the sugar, electrolytes and vitamins found in sports drinks, so giving them a shot of your Gatorade and some water could revive them. And for acid-loving plants that benefit from doses of vitamin C, even a little leftover orange juice mixed with lots of tepid tap water can give a nutritional boost to help them grow and thrive.