1/29/13

There may be snow on the ground, but now is a good time to start saving items you would normally discard to use in your spring garden. Save worn T-shirts and pantyhose and cut them into strips to tie plants to support stakes. Cardboard egg cartons can be filled with potting soil to start seedlings. When the plant is ready to move outside, simply tear the cup and place it in the ground -- cardboard and all! And used paint stirrers can be plant ID markers; just write the plant name on the stirrer with a permanent ink pen and stick it in the ground.

1/28/13

After experiencing so many recent natural disasters -- like hurricanes, floods and earthquakes -- many of us are creating emergency kits to prepare for when the worst strikes. When you're making them, don't forget your companion animals. The Humane Society of the United States recommends creating an emergency kit for your pets that includes food and water for at least five days; medications and medical records; garbage bags; litter boxes for feline friends; and current photos with descriptions of your pet in case you get separated. You can learn more at hsus.org.

1/27/13

Save the skins of fresh lemons the next time you cook, and use them to help preserve your perishable foods. Olive oil, which can be expensive, has a shelf life of around six months. Inserting a lemon rind into the bottle can extend that time. It will also help the oil taste fresher. Also, to help keep brown sugar from turning hard, insert one or two peels into the bag to keep it fresh and soft.