HINTS FROM HELOISE
PRACTICAL, DEPENDABLE TIPS FOR TODAY’S BUSY CONSUMERS
Dear Heloise: Every year about this time, I do some springcleaning. My teenage kids (I have three children) usually help me. We clean every closet, toss out junk and donate things that others can use.
Many of my friends are surprised that my children help me, but I started doing this with them at the age of 5. I had them cleaning their rooms, helping me change their sheets and organizing their toys. They had to keep their shoes lined up, and dirty clothes were put in their hampers.
We did this every Saturday morning, and usually by noon, they were free to go out and play. Since this was a weekly task, they knew that spring-cleaning would be a little more in depth.
It was because of this that they now hate clutter and dirty rooms. They take care of their clothes and their possessions, and they take pride in their schoolwork.
Am I a “tiger mom”? Maybe, but none of my children smokes or uses drugs. All are on their school’s honor roll and always found summer jobs to help pay for their future college education.
I’m a devoted believer that making children do chores has a profound affect in training them to take pride in where and how they live. It also helps them take responsibility for their lives.
— Elaine T., Burlington, Wisconsin
Dear Heloise: I just tossed out four cloves of garlic because they started to grow in my refrigerator. It seemed like a terrible thing to do when so many people in this world go hungry. Can garlic be frozen?
— Beatrice L., Fresno, California
Beatrice, yes, you can freeze garlic. First, peel and mince the cloves of garlic. Then wrap them up tightly or place them in a freezer bag before freezing.
There are a number of foods that can be frozen and thawed out in a microwave oven. Here are a few:
■ Avocados: Cut an avocado in half and scoop out the inside or cut it into slices. Then place on a cookie sheet and freeze. Thaw in the microwave for about 8-14 seconds.
■ Grated cheese: Make sure to thaw it out ahead of time.
■ Waffles: Either a toaster or the oven can be used to reheat them.
■ Heavy cream: Pour it into an ice cube tray and use as needed for recipes.
■ Tofu: Some people believe tofu even improves after being frozen.
— Heloise