Pre-sliced fruit could be a health problem

Dear Readers: Browsing through the produce department at the grocery store, you may notice prepackaged, prepared fru i t s and vege tabl e s : pre-sliced apples, strawberries, carrot chips, radishes, pineapple and shredded lettuce, for example. The convenience factor is a plus, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA.gov) agrees that these prepared fruits and vegetables may not be the healthiest selection you can make. Why?

When a fruit or vegetable is cut during the production process, pathogens (bacteria, fungus and even parasites) can sneak under the flesh, and then the moist environment of the plastic packaging can be the perfect breeding ground for these pathogens to thrive. And no heat is used to kill bacteria.

Your best bet may be to grab a whole piece of fruit or a whole vegetable. This’ll be easier on your pocketbook, too.— Heloise

CASE CLOSED Dear Heloise: When traveling, I store my jewelry in a hard-shell eyeglass case. It’s small and noncrushable.— Helen M., via email

MARRED MARBLE Dear Heloise: You ran an article recently about the differences between granite and marble. You are correct that granite is harder than marble, but you didn’t say what not to use to clean them.

Please remind your readers NEVER to use vinegar or any acidic product to clean marble. My housekeeper ruined our bathroom marble vanity tops with a vinegar solution that left etched water stains. I had to call a specialist to buff them out, at a cost of $500.

I’d appreciate you passing this hint on to your readers. Vinegar is a wonderful cleaning product, but it’s detrimental to marble.— Florence L., via email

Florence, thanks for your email. Although vinegar should not be used on marble, it’s very handy in the kitchen for cleaning and cooking. I have compiled a pamphlet full of vinegar hints. Would you like one? Go to Heloise. com to order, or send $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (71 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. To clean marble, a gentle liquid dish detergent mixed with water should do the trick.—Heloise

BOOKWORM Dear Heloise: I download audiobooks from the state of Kansas library for free. I’m sure most states have such services.

I like to listen to a series in order, and I usually find the series list on the authors’ websites. However, remembering the order when going through the library website on my phone is a challenge.

I take a picture of the list on my phone, rather than having to go back and forth to an author’s site.

I also took photos of my driver’s license and car insurance in case I need them and I don’t have my wallet.— Susan S., Manhattan, Kan.