WONDERFUL FEEDBACK FROM A CONTRIBUTOR:

With regard to your tip about cleaning pots, I want to tell you that a handful of rhubarb (available in the frozen food section in the winter) does a great job of cleaning a blackened pot (voice of experience). P.S. When preparing rhubarb, if you bake it instead of boiling it, the rhubarb won’t go mushy.

SMART THINKING:

My children used to waste an entire box of tissues in one day when they had a cold. Now I purchase the softest roll of toilet paper that I can find and they use one or two sheets at a time. Their nose does not become sore from rubbing, and we aren’t wasting as much.

Submitted by Sara

Use baby diaper rash cream for rashes and itchy skin due to sunburn, medicine (such as Warfarin), and for underarm and under breast soreness. (Check with your doctor first.)

Submitted by Helena

You won’t see a raccoon trading his mask in for a cucumber spa mask. Plant cucumbers around your veggies, raccoons don’t like prickles or the smell of cucumber. Submitted by Mavis

Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.

Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena. ca. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca

DAIRY FARMERS OF CANADA/THE CANADIAN PRESS Choose premium cocoa over common grocery-store fare. You can recognize the better quality cocoa by its greater fat content. It’s worth the extra calories.