HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR HELOISE: I save saltine sleeves and cereal box liners. The sleeves are great as disposable cutting boards, and the cereal-box liners can be used as small trash bags. They never leak. Put one in your car so your carpet stays clean, or use to stash a wet umbrella.

— Rose J., Dayton, Ohio

DEAR HELOISE: My family loves portobello mushrooms. Since we are vegans, we eat them the same way you might dress a hamburger, or we grill them. One of my favorite ways to make them is to soak the mushroom caps in balsamic vinegar for 10 minutes, then grill for three to five minutes on each side and serve with feta cheese crumbled over top.

— Vicki A., Mesa, Ariz.

DEAR HELOISE: Please repeat your potato soup recipe. Now that the cooler weather is coming, we enjoy a hot bowl of soup in the evenings, and we’re especially fond of potato soup.

— Jenny in Texas DEAR READER: I’d love to. You’ll need:

4 medium potatoes, cubed 1 small onion, chopped fine 1 tablespoon shortening or

olive oil

1 cup water

2 cups milk

¾ teaspoon salt

Dash of pepper

Cook potatoes, onion, oil (or shortening) and water in a large pot until potatoes are soft. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Serves 4.

A tasty tip: Puree celery and onions in a blender and add to soups for extra flavor and without extra calories.

DEAR HELOISE: We love natural honey, but it often gets “sugary” and solid. I’ve found that if I microwave the honey in its jar for a couple of minutes, it will return to its pourable state. Microwaving time varies with the amount of honey in the jar, so I start with small increments of zapping time. If the jar has a metal lid, be sure to remove it.

— Phyllis N., Quincy, Wash.

DEAR HELOISE: With Halloween approaching and kids soon to be at my front door, I’d like to give them something other than just candy. Any hints on what to hand out? — Elizabeth D., Warsaw, Ind. DEAR READER: Yes. You can go to any dollar store and pick up small plastic toys to mix in with a little candy.