One of the best things you can do to extend the life of perishable produce is to keep ripening fruit away from other vegetables and fruit. Ripening fruits are those that get sweeter over time, like apples and pears. As they ripen, they emit an odorless gas called ethylene that can cause even hearty produce like squash and onions to yellow, wilt and even rot. Just keeping these items separated from each other can extend the life of your produce by weeks.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Pastry chefs say the best surface to roll dough, make chocolates and do other types of baking prep work on is a marble countertop, since it stays cool to the touch. If you don't have a marble countertop and don't want to make the investment to buy one, think scrap heap instead. Countertop fabricators often have square slabs of marble waste leftover from the holes they cut to fit sinks when installing new countertops. Those slabs are inexpensive and can be cut into any shape of your choice with smooth edges.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

There are lots of compost pails you can buy at the store that feature tight-fitting lids, integrated carbon filters (to absorb odors) and pretty designs so they look good on your kitchen countertop. But they can also be expensive. Instead of buying one, you can always repurpose an old stock pot into a compost bin. A stainless steel one works best, since it can be washed easily, but any with a tight lid will work and keep odors and insects away. If you don't have one, there are lots of used pots at any thrift store that can work -- they may not be in prime shape for cooking, but they're perfect for compost storage.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION