Ever wonder what to do with ashes from the fireplace? After the ashes have cooled, scoop them and save them for your backyard. Wood ashes are super rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorous and other minerals. You can simply sprinkle the cooled ashes all over your yard and mix them right into the soil. You can even add wood ashes to your compost pile to make it nutrient-rich, too. But don't overdo it; about 5% of the total amount is just right to make it the perfect compost blend.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Many DIY projects to feed wild birds during the winter months involve coating a piece of bread -- like a stale bagel -- in peanut butter and birdseed to hang from a tree. Top bird experts agree this practice should be avoided, because the bread offers the birds very few nutrients; birds need fat to survive, not carbohydrates. If you want to help, you can use natural peanut butter to coat a pinecone with seed, which provides vital nourishment to our feathered friends during the cold winter months.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Here's another reason to opt for 100% organic cotton sheets for your bed: They can help you stay healthier during cold and flu season. When someone is sick, it's important to regularly wash the bedding they are sleeping on, since the sheets can harbor illness-causing germs. All-cotton sheets are the only kind that can withstand being washed in hot water with special disinfecting detergents. Synthetic blends can shrink and wear out quickly, and should be avoided.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION