Steel-cut oatmeal is healthy choice

Heloise

Dear Readers: Oatmeal is a hearty, filling and delicious breakfast on a cold winter’s morning, and it’s loaded with fiber. Have you heard of steel-cut oatmeal and wondered what it is?

Oatmeal that is “steel cut” is larger in size. Because of this, steel-cut oatmeal typically takes longer to cook, but it has less sugar and sodium than processed oatmeal and therefore fewer calories.

Looking for a less sweet but nuttier and chewier oatmeal? Look at steel-cut oatmeal.

Dear Heloise: Here is my method for making hardboiled eggs:

Put a pot of water on the stove and heat to a high simmer. At this point, place the number of eggs that you want to be hard-boiled into the pot very carefully, so you do not get splashed. The eggs can be taken right from the refrigerator, older or fresh.

After the water comes back to medium heat, let them simmer for about 12 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water so they are cool enough to handle. Then tap each one against the counter once, and the shell will peel off in just two or three pieces — every time.

Dear Heloise: I wanted a cover for my queen-size bed, but I didn’t want a dust ruffle. I bought a king-size cover, which came to the floor on all three sides of my queen-size bed. —

Dear Heloise: Help! Is there any way I can shrink my favorite sweater? It was a mistake in washing and not laying it flat to dry. It now almost comes down to my knees. Sure hope there is a solution. Thank you for your column. —

Cynthia, let’s give it a try. Wash the sweater again, in cold water, and then dry it in the clothes dryer on the heat setting. Check on the sweater often — every 10 minutes or so, since shrinking is reversible.

This is a long shot; the fibers may be irretrievably stretched. Worse case? Grab a belt and some leggings, and there you go!

Dear Heloise: With all the baking, cooking, shopping and gift-wrapping, I start early, especially with Christmas cards. Mine all go out on Dec. 1. People like to have time to enjoy them and decorate with them. If I get a card a few days before Christmas, it may not get displayed. Not to mention, this is less stress on postal workers handling all these cards!

Dear Heloise: I inherited a set of pearls from my aunt. What’s the best way to care for them?

Pearls need special attention. Perfumes, hair spray, makeup, lotions and environmental pollution all can build up on a strand of pearls, which may damage them. So, after each wearing, wipe the strand of pearls with a lint-free cloth. Heloise answers letters only in her King Features Syndicate column. Write her at P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 782795000 or send a fax to 1-210-HELOISE.