Picnic pointers help keep food safe, picnickers happy
Dear Heloise: For fun family and friends times, we like to go picnicking. Here are some hints we use for food safety and to stay organized:
n More than one cooler or basket is an absolute must: a cooler for the cold food and drinks, a basket for chips and snack foods, and a basket or tote for accessories (knives and forks, napkins, plates, blankets, games, etc.).
n Only cold food goes in the cooler. Don’t expect the cooler to cool foods; refrigerate them the night before, and layer wrapped frozen meats with ice cubes in the cooler. Pack the cooler full to help keep it colder.
n Don’t sear or preheat meats at home. Bacteria can grow rapidly on food that is not cooked thoroughly.
n Grab those extra condiment packs from a quickserve restaurant.
n Hot foods, including vegetables, should be eaten within two hours of preparation.
n Don’t forget to have fun! Leave the electronics turned off, and grab a football, deck of cards or board games.— Tracey D. in Alabama
PET PAL
Dear Readers: Melinda B. emailed a picture of her gorgeous 12-yearold black Lab, Dawson, lounging around. When Dawson isn’t relaxing at home, he works as a therapy dog in the local hospital! Great work, Dawson!
To see Dawson and our other Pet Pals, visit www. Heloise.com and click on
“Pet of the Week.” Do you have a fabulous furry friend? Email Heloise@ Heloise.com.—Heloise
SAVING TWO LIVES Dear Heloise: When I was adopting my dog at the shelter, my adoption counselor reminded me that I am saving TWO lives: I’m taking home my new family member, and I’m making space in the shelter so they can save another animal.
My mantra is: #AdoptDontShop!—Carrie R. in San Antonio
SAVE IT FOR LATER Dear Heloise: I read your column in the Orange County (Calif.) Register. I want to keep some of your hints to reference later.
To hold your column until I’m ready to “laminate” (with tape) the front side, I lay the back side of the newspaper column against the sticky side of leakproof sealing wrap. Then I cover the front side of the article with the clear packaging tape.
Now I can cut it out and tape it to the fridge, microwave, a mirror, a notebook or wherever I want, and it is protected from splashes.— Jackie in Santa Ana, Calif.
HINT FROM HIM Dear Heloise: There’s no need to slice yourself instead of your bagel. Lay the bagel flat, cut first downward so that you have two semi-circles. Then stand each half-bagel on its flat cut and slice downward again.
Four perfect quarter-bagels that still fit in the toaster just fine. If you then insist on having circles again, just spackle the pieces together with a little extra cream cheese!—Neil S., Falls Church, Va.