Do Just One Thing

The more you can do to help bring dinner to the table more quickly, the better. The next time you’re boiling water for pasta, consider placing a metal steamer basket on top of the pot and then placing the pot’s lid on top of that. This action allows you to do double duty: You can cook the pasta and steam veggies or a protein like fish at the same time. Not only will this save time, but you’ll save energy, too. And remember, when the pasta water cools down, you can give your outdoor plants a healthy treat by feeding it to them.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

On major holidays like Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July and Christmas, hundreds of millions of pounds of food are thrown away due to too much being made for get-togethers and parties. Professional chefs and caterers have a simple rule to calculate how much food to prepare for a crowd. Per person, it’s around 1/2 to 1 cup of protein, 4 to 8 ounces of starch (think mashed potatoes or stuffing), and 4 to 6 ounces of a vegetable dish. For light to normal eaters, this a meal; for heartier eaters, double it. Planning ahead can ensure you don’t cook more than is needed, saving money and reducing food waste.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Nearly half of the electricity usage in your home is for heating and cooling, so every little step you take to reduce consumption really ads up. Start with the basics: Set your thermostat at 78 degrees in the summer and 65 degrees in the winter. Replace dirty air filters; when your air filters are clogged by dust and particles, your heating/cooling system has to work harder. Close curtains on hot days to block the sun’s rays; open them on cold winter days to create heat indoors. Finally, get cozy with blankets and scarves in the winter.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION