The common belief used to be that a small bell on your cat's collar would make sound and scare away birds, thus preventing your cat from killing them; but in fact, our feathered friends don’t associate the ringing sound with danger. The best method to prevent your cat from killing birds is to keep your feline friend indoors. Studies have found that spaying or neutering them also works to keep them closer to home. If your cat must be outdoors, avoid letting them out around sunset, when birds are most likely to be in harm’s way.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Here’s an interesting fact: Honey never expires. The water content of honey -- just 17% -- means the sweet stuff isn’t moist enough for things like bacteria or fungi to thrive. What does alter honey is light and heat, which can change its color, taste and aroma, so store your honey in a dark, cool place. And if you have honey that has crystalized, it’s still fine to use. Just scoop out the amount that you need, zap it in the microwave for a few seconds to warm it up and you’re good to go.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When we think about saving energy in the kitchen, we often don’t think about the smaller things, like coffee grinders, blenders, toasters, coffee makers and microwave ovens. These smaller appliances are a frequent part of our lives and can waste a lot of energy over time. Instead of keeping them plugged into a wall outlet and drawing power even when they're unused, plug them all into a power strip with surge protection. This does two things: You can flip the switch to turn off all power and save electricity, and if there’s an electrical surge, your small appliances will be protected.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION