Household Hint: Rubber Band

Today's tip isn't "tasty" in the sense of food, but it's still a handy one to have in your knowledge bank.

Ever encountered a stripped screw that seems impossible to remove?  If so, try getting a better grip on the screw by placing a wide rubber band flat between the screw and the screwdriver, then apply firm, but slow force while attempting to turn the screw.  If you're lucky, the rubber band will fill the gaps, give you extra grip, and allow removal of the screw!

A couple of things to keep in mind with this tip:

• Always use a screwdriver, don't attempt this with a drill - you'll just end up stripping the screw even more.
• This works best on screws that are only lightly stripped; if the screw head has really been ground down, you'll most likely have to move on to more extreme measures.

Mmm...tasty!

Coffee Filter, Not Paper Towel

Next time you have to clean the mirrors in your house (or any glass surface for that matter), use coffee filters, not paper towels.  The coffee filters leave no streaks or lint - and they are cheap!  (Or, try this similar tip!)

Mmm...tasty!

Uses for Baking Soda: Non-Toxic Oven Cleaner

Hate having to clean your oven?  Hate the fumes and scrubbing that come along with most oven cleaners?  Next time, nix the fumes and the scrubbing, and use baking soda to clean the oven!  Here's how:

If the entire oven needs to be cleaned, sprinkle a good layer of baking soda over the bottom, then take a spray bottle and spray with mix of equal parts vinegar and water.   (If you are just spot cleaning, make a paste of the ingredients in a bowl or cup and apply to the problem areas.) You're trying to achieve a paste-like consistency, so don't over apply the vinegar/water mix!  Allow the solution to set until it begins to appear dry, then wipe the mess away.  If burnt on food/splatters remain, reapply the solution and allow to set once again (you may have to do a little light scrubbing to fully remove stubborn stains).  Once you're finished applying the baking soda & vinegar/water mix, then take a clean, damp towel and wipe away any remaining white residue.  Voila!  A clean oven with minimal scrubbing and no harsh fumes!

Mmmm...tasty!

Banish the Bugs

Planning an outdoor celebration soon, maybe for the Fourth of July?  Here's a few tips and tricks to help keep some of those uninvited pests from crashing the party:

1. To keep ants from crawling up table legs, place several cucumber peels around each leg.  Ants are averse to cucumber and will stay away, just be sure each leg is securely surrounded by a ring of peel to prevent any interlopers.  (You can use slices of cucumber as well, but why waste perfectly good veggies?)
2. Keep flies, wasps, and other insects from sampling the food by inverting inexpensive, wire-mesh colanders over the food platters.
3. Bowls of brightly-colored sugar water placed several feet away from the party area will draw insects (particularly wasps and bees) away from both the food and your guests.
4. Clear, zipper-seal storage bags filled with water and hung from tree limbs or eaves, or placed on a table or the ground will draw flies and flying insects.
5. Create an ant-free zone by sprinkling a heavy layer of ground cinnamon around the area you want to protect (i.e. a table or the entire patio).  This will also trap any stray ants inside the ant-free zone, so be sure you have most of them relocated before applying the cinnamon barrier!
6. Consider planting pots of basil, lemongrass, citronella, rosemary, catnip, marigolds, garlic, or tansies.  These are all plants with natural mosquito repelling qualities and they can be used as part of the party decorations.  (Many greenhouses have huge sales going on this time year, you could pick up several small plants for minimal cost and place them among the seating area and tables.)

Even using these tips, you'll still want to consider lighting citronella candles and having insect repellent/bug spray available for your guests to use.  Also, remember to keep sugary foods and drinks tightly covered until ready to serve.

Mmm....tasty!

Kleenex for Dessert?

Red velvet cake.  Chocolate cake.  Cherry Pie.  Triple layer vanilla cake.

Sound like a divine dessert buffet?  It's actually a line of new Kleenex Brand tissue packaging that only looks like slices of your favorite pies and cakes.  And if you live near a Target store (which so far is the only place I've been able to find them), I would highly recommend picking a few up.  They would make perfect stocking stuffers for the dessert lover on your Christmas list or as a whimsical holiday decoration for you.

Too bad my nearest Target store is 2 hours away...