Do Just One Thing

The sugar substitute xylitol is commonly found in things like sugar-free mints, gum, chewable vitamins and even in some kinds of peanut butter and toothpaste. While it may have fewer calories than real sugar and is safe for diabetics, it can be deadly to man's best friend. When dogs ingest sugar-free items intended for human consumption, xylitol is actually about 100 times more toxic than milk chocolate. When a dog eats xylitol, it causes a rapid decrease in the canine's blood sugar level, which leads to seizures, brain damage and liver failure. If you suspect your dog has eaten xylitol, call the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680.

Do you have a collection of comic books that you'd like to see go to a worthy and wonderful cause? The nonprofit Comics4Kids accepts comic books and distributes them to children in hospitals, kids in remote access areas and poverty-stricken locations around the world. Comics that aren't in good enough shape (or aren't kid-friendly in theme) are still accepted and either resold to raise money or given to arts and crafts programs at local schools. To learn how to give, just visit comics4kidsinc.org.

Any serious baker can back up this fact: Don't open the oven door when cooking at home. When you get your oven preheated to the temperature you need, place whatever you're roasting or baking inside, and leave the door closed. When you open and close the oven to check on your food, it cools the inside by about 25 degrees each time. That not only wastes energy, it increases the overall cooking time and can change the outcome of whatever it is you're cooking. Just flip on the light switch and peek through the window to check on your food.