The best “mint”

Many popular brands of the mints we rely on to freshen breath contain sugar, which bad-breath bacteria feast on. For an easy low-cost alternative, repurpose a prescription drug vial and fill it with cardamom pods or seeds (from your spice rack or pick up a bottle of your favorite spice brand at the grocery store). Toss the vial into your purse and whenever you need to freshen up, chew on a pod for a few minutes, then spit it out. The spicy, citrusy kitchen staple freshens breath instantly and its plant compounds (such as cineole) have been proven to inhibit oral bacterial strains that cause odor and cavities over time.