Dear Readers:

Don’t throw out used coffee grounds. Instead, recycle the grounds in these ways:

Put the coffee grounds into an old margarine container, poke holes in the lid and place in your refrigerator to absorb odors.

Spread coffee grounds on top of flowerbeds, particularly acid-loving plants like azaleas or rhododendrons.

Place the grounds in a small can next to the kitchen sink. When you handle fish, peeled onions or chopped garlic, there will be a stinky residue on your hands. Rub the coffee grounds on your hands to get rid of the odor. It works!

— Heloise

It really does make a big difference in how they cook. To get the best cooking results, cut vegetables in about the same sizes so they will cook evenly. The shape of vegetables is important because it interacts with the cooking surface. Rounded edges move around better, while flatter, thinner pieces will stick to the sides and bottom of the pan.

Heloise — Heloise Dear Readers:

Several of you have written, asking this question: Should toothbrushes be placed on the counters in the bathroom? Because they are used so often, you want toothbrushes to be clean and effective, but they should be protected too. Yes, you can store them on the counter, as long as they are away from the toilet. It’s best to put them in a container with a cover. Be aware that airborne bacteria can spread to your toothbrushes.

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