Too much shakin' going on
DEAR HELOISE >>
One spice I use extensively is nutmeg, and when
I use a new jar, it takes a lot of shaking to spread this spice evenly on my pudding. I've noticed that when the amount of spice in a jar gets less and less, the easier and quicker it is to shake and spread out evenly.
One day, when I did not have enough spice to complete the recipe, I had a new, full jar ready to step in and finish. Then it donned on me that I could pour half of the new spice into the old jar and spread it quickly and evenly. Both labels showed the name of the spice, so no mix-up there.
One suggestion is to put small, removable labels with the numbers “1” and “2,” or “A” and “B,” so one could follow a “first in, first out” procedure. It is easy to pry off the plastic inner caps with a pattern of holes for spreading the spice, then add the new spice, and easily snap the caps back on.
DEAR HELOISE
>> I am an avid reader of your column, and wanted to share my idea with you that I have used for collegebound friends, since my son benefited from it when he went to college.
I call it a “get better box.” In it, it will have ibuprofen, aspirin, bug spray, antibiotic ointment, bandages, vitamins, cough drops, cold tablets, allergy relief pills, etc. This is always a huge hit with all of my friends as it has things that people do not think of when they are setting their child up in their dorms.
DEAR HELOISE >> In response to David in Virginia complaining about small print and senior eyes, I say, “Me, too!” (My issue is puzzles in the daily paper.) I have found that the camera on my phone is a perfect solution. Simply
focus the camera, slightly zoomed out, on the text, and it becomes easy to read. Hope this helps.
DEAR HELOISE >> I use an old vegetable steamer to wash and rinse off shells that I collect on my beach walks and little moon stones. They get air and dry out perfectly. Then it can be used for crafts as well.
DEAR HELOISE >> I discovered a replacement for plastic bags that can be found at almost all retailers. Online, you can buy 50 paper gift bags with handles for $15. The handles make them easy to carry, and the bags can be reused. When tossed, they don't poison the environment.
Write to Heloise at P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; Fax 210-HELOISE; or email Heloise@Heloise.com.