Lemon peels are a natural preservative
The next time you squeeze lemons, grab a vegetable peeler and make a few lemon skin peels. They act as a natural preservative for a number of food items. Does your brown sugar get rockhard in storage? Adding a lemon peel or two to the bag will keep the sugar soft and pliable. Even olive oil (which has a shelf life of around six months) will stay fresh longer if you add a lemon peel to the bottle. The peel gives the oil a subtle lemon flavor, too.
WILD SALMON
Salmon can be a heart-healthy food to add to your diet. But not all salmon fillets are the same; some can contain high levels of chemicals, metals and other contaminants. When shopping for salmon, look for “wild-caught Alaskan” salmon over “farmraised.” Scientists recently found that wild salmon had low levels of contaminants and higher levels of hearthealthy omega-3s versus farmraised. Plus, tough Alaska regulations make wild-caught salmon a more sustainable choice.
SHADE TREES
Fall is an excellent time to buy landscaping plants at their lowest price and also to guarantee their successful growth due to cool temperatures. One thing you should consider investing in is a shade tree near your HVAC system or near windows that get extremely hot during the summer months. The shade from these trees creates cooler air and helps your compressors run more efficiently, ultimately keeping your home cooler and your utility bills lower.
MAKEUP FIX
Have you ever dropped your pressed powder makeup compact, causing the makeup to break into clumps? There’s no need to throw it away — you can salvage the situation easily. All you have to do is press the powder clumps back into place inside the compact, then pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol inside until it fills up to the top. Gently stir with a small spoon or toothpick until the mixture is smooth, then let it dry for 24 hours so the alcohol has a chance to evaporate. Voila! Good as new.
OVEN CLEANER
If you use your oven only during the holiday season, now is a good time to give the inside a thorough cleaning. First, avoid using chemical degreasers and sprays to clean your oven; what’s unsafe to breathe should never be used where you prepare food. Just reach for baking soda instead. Make a thick, creamy paste with water, then coat the entire inside of your oven with the mixture. Let it sit for several hours to naturally break down the grime inside, then wipe off with a damp rag.
SEPTIC TANKS
Does your home have a septic tank? If so, it’s important to check it periodically to make sure that it is working efficiently. Have the tank pumped and inspected every two to three years. Making sure it’s in good working order will ensure that it isn’t leaking pollutants into the ground and waterways. And every septic tank owner should know: Never flush dental floss, diapers, cigarette butts, paper towels, paint or harsh cleaning products down the drain.
ORGANIC COFFEE
If you drink coffee every morning, sip on this: Always buy organic java. Almost all coffee is grown outside the United States, and some of it is farmed in countries with lax environmental regulations. When you purchase certified organic coffee, it means the beans were grown according to strict U.S. environmental regulations. And while conventional produce can be washed to remove pesticide residue, coffee beans really can’t be washed before brewing. So organic also means no residual chemicals will end up in your hot cup of coffee.