Please don’t throw that food away

Dear Readers: Today’s Sound Off is about the billions of dollars of food that is thrown out every year in America.— Heloise

“Dear He loise: Americans waste millions of tons of food each year. It gets dumped in a landfill, where it rots and produces methane gas, which is considered a greenhouse gas.

“What can we do to avoid wasting food? You can freeze almost anything, so why not freeze leftovers? Or plan how much food will be needed for a meal, and purchase that amount and no more. Plan a leftover night on Saturday or Friday. Even if food is on sale, don’t buy it unless you know you’ll use it all.”—Melissa F., Berkeley, Calif.

FAST FACTS Dear Readers: May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, so to help avoid skin cancer:

■ Use sunblock.

■ Stop sunbathing.

■ Wear a hat outdoors.

■ See a dermatologist regularly.

—Heloise

SENIOR DISCOUNTS Dear Heloise: Many people are timid about asking for a “senior discount,” but people over 62 always should ask. You can save on things such as cellphones, restaurants, hotels, entertainment, national park entry fees, auto insurance/repairs and medications. But you MUST ASK if a discount is offered, and discounts can, and sometimes do, vary or change.— Helen M., Orlando, Fla.

STRESS KILLING YOU? Dear Heloise: One of the most serious health issues today is stress. As a yoga teacher, I see people every day who are trying to find ways to cope with their stress levels. I’ve found that there are three easy methods to help us handle stress in our lives:

■ Stop multitasking: Focus on doing a good job on one thing at a time.

■ Meditate: Set aside at least 10 to 15 minutes per day to sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, focus on your breathing and let your mind go blank.

■ Stop checking your electronic gadgets: Some people check email, text messages and social media every few minutes. Schedule a time at the end or beginning of each day for those tasks.—Brenda W., Yakima, Wash.

PURPLE TIRES Dear Heloise: Old tires can be hung on a farmer’s fence with “no trespassing” written on it, or paint a tire purple, which is a sign to hunters meaning “no hunting allowed.”

Old tires also can be put on top of farm implements for weight. So don’t throw out those old tires!—Kent R., Rago, Kan.