Clean greens
What’s the best way to SAFELY WASH GREENS? I love a fresh, delicious salad this time of year. — Kelly T. in San Antonio
Kudos, Kelly, for eating greens! Here are a few hints:
• Wash greens immediately before eating, not when you first bring them home.
• From a head of lettuce, bunch of spinach or stalk of kale, cut forksize pieces (1 inch) and submerge in a bowl of cold water.
• Give it time for the dirt particles (it comes from the earth, after all) to fall to the bottom of the bowl (about 15 minutes).
• Reach in and grab the greens and transfer to a colander. DON’T dump the bowl into the colander; you’ll redeposit sediment back over and into the greens.
• Either spin-dry in a lettuce spinner or blot dry in paper or cloth toweling.
Please make sure your readers are aware that a man on a bicycle can come by you in a crowd, grab your purse right out of your hand and be gone in a flash! Hang on tight to your bag, and keep it zipped. — Melanie T. in Illinois
BACK-TOSCHOOL CLOTHES
It’s not quite time for back to school yet, but when shopping for clothes for my kids, I bring them along. I allow them to have a say in what is purchased. If they don’t like it, they won’t wear it.
Of course, there are boundaries -short shorts, crop tops and muscle shirts are a “no,” but we compromise on a T-shirt with a favorite band on it. — Jessica M. in Ohio
Have you tried white pepper instead of black pepper in your cooking? White pepper is more intense and hotter than black pepper.
But hold on to your wallet: White pepper can be three times the price!
I carry a large plastic hook with me in my purse. It comes in handy in a public restroom to hang my bag on. Many stalls don’t provide hooks.
And when I’m finished, I pull the paper down off the roll for the next patron. This is a big courtesy.
— Ellen M. in New Jersey
My husband had a problem with ring around the collar. I took plain white chalk and rubbed it into the collar. Then I launder as usual, and I ask my husband to wash his neck better! We love your column.
— J.M.R. in Florida
Write to Heloise at P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; Fax 210-HELOISE; or email Heloise@ Heloise.com.