Organic produce still needs washed
Organic fruits and vegetables have been grown without the use of chemical insecticides or herbicides. But when you get them home, you should still wash them thoroughly before eating, because even organic produce can have pesticides on them. The reason? Wind can carry the chemicals used on neighboring farms raising conventionally grown produce onto the fields of organic farms. The good news is that the organic produce still has significantly less residue; but even the lower levels should be removed with a thorough washing.
DOMESTIC TEA
If you’re a tea drinker, you may want to think twice about exotic blends from around the world. If you think about it, tea grown in Asia has to travel a long way to get from the farm to your tea cup. To reduce the carbon footprint of your tea, think about making fresh tea at home using mint and basil. These herbs grow prolifically, and you can make tea from them by simply steeping them in boiling water. You can add other pantry staples like honey, spices and a slice of lemon.
IDLE TIME
There’s nothing wrong with using a drive-thru window to pick up a quick meal from a restaurant or a prescription from your pharmacy. But if you’re waiting for your order for more than 30 seconds, you’re not only wasting fuel, you’re releasing unhealthy emissions into the air. According to the Sierra Club, sitting in your idling car for more than 30 seconds wastes more gas than turning off your car completely. If you use a drive-thru, go up to the window and turn off your car. Even restarting it in less than a minute is better for both fuel economy and air quality than idling.
CIGARETTE BUTTS
If you’re looking for another reason to quit smoking (beyond your health and wallet), here’s one: It’s a detriment to wildlife. It’s estimated that nearly 25 percent of all roadside trash is cigarette butts. Many of these butts end up in aquatic habitats, where they leach chemicals into
the water. When fish get the chemicals into their bloodstream, they get transferred to the wild animals that eat the fish. Research shows that cigarette butts are also among the top risks of poisoning to household pets. For help quitting, visit tobacco freelife.org.
FURNITURE FIX
Imagine you find a piece of wooden furniture at a thrift shop or flea market that’s perfect for your home, but there’s a dent in it. There’s no need to pass on it when you can cover it up and make it look as good as new. Whether it’s a scratch, a mark or a deep dent, all you have to do is light a candle and drip melted wax into the blemish. When the wax cools, buff it with a microfiber towel to polish it to a smooth finish. Then use a furniture marker that’s the same color as the stain on the furniture to color the wax. In minutes, it’ll look like there was never any damage.
SPECIALTY FLOUR
When a recipe calls for an unusual flour made from almonds, rice or oats, running to the store or looking for another recipe aren’t your only options. You can make these flours in your own home. All you need are raw almonds, white rice or uncooked oats. Toss the ingredient into your food processor and put it to work. As the blades process the ingredient, they’ll transform it into a fluffy flour in just seconds. The tougher the
When a recipe calls for an unusual flour made from almonds, rice or oats, running to the store or looking for another recipe aren’t your only options. You can make these flours at home with a food processor.
ingredient, the longer it’ll take to make, but no ingredient should take more than a minute to transform into flour.
NO BEER FOR DOGS
If you’re sipping a beer on a hot summer day, be sure to keep your can or bottle far away from your dog. The hops used to make beer may give it flavor, but they also can raise the body temperature of your dog to as high as 108 degrees. If your dog drinks a lot of beer, this rise in body temperature can lead to seizures and organ failure. Keep beer far away and always warn guests that giving a dog a sip of beer isn’t cute; it’s dangerous.