Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato-based sauces. No more stains.
Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator -- it will keep for weeks.
Use Lifesavers candy to hold candles in place on your next birthday cake! Kids love them.
Poke an egg with a small sewing needle before hard-boiling, and the egg will peel with ease. And hold that needle in place with a magnet refrigerator clip.
Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.
Zap garlic cloves in the microwave for 15 seconds and the skins slip right off.
Use a meat baster to "squeeze" your pancake batter onto the hot griddle to form perfectly shaped pancakes every time.
Always spray your grill with nonstick cooking spray before grilling to avoid sticking.
To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling.
Use a pastry blender to cut ground beef into small pieces after browning.
Sweeten whipped cream with confectioners' sugar instead of granulated sugar. It will stay fluffy and hold its shape better.
For easy "meatloaf mixing," combine the ingredients with a potato masher.
If you don't have enough batter to fill all cupcake tins, pour one tablespoon of water into the unfilled spots. This helps preserve the life of your pans.
To easily remove honey from a measuring spoon, first coat the spoon with nonstick cooking spray.
Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treats in the pan. The marshmallow won't stick to your fingers.
Mash and freeze ripe bananas, in one-cup portions, for use in baking later. No wasted bananas (or you can freeze them whole, peeled, in plastic baggies).
To use that frozen juice concentrate quickly, simply mash it with a potato masher. No need to wait for it to thaw. A wire whip works also.
To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing. (Try warming in the microwave oven too.)
To remove burnt-on food from your skillet easily, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stovetop; skillet will be much easier to clean.
Transfer your jelly to a small plastic squeeze bottle -- no more messy, sticky jars or knives. This also works well for homemade salad dressing.
To aid in washing dishes, add a tablespoon of baking soda to your soapy water -- it softens hands while cutting through grease.
Save store-bought-bread bags and ties -- they make perfect storage bags for homemade bread.
When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead. No white mess on the outside of the cake.
If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato. It absorbs the excess salt for an instant "fix me up."
Next time you need a quick ice pack, grab a bag of frozen vegetables out of your freezer -- no watery leaks from a plastic baggie.
When making bread, substitute nondairy creamer for the dry milk -- it works just as well.
Rinse cooked, ground meat with water when draining off the fat -- this helps "wash away" even more fat! Use HOT or Warm water so fat won't congeal.
Slicing meat when partially frozen makes it easier to get thin slices.
Instead of throwing away bread heels or leftover cornbread, use them to make bread crumbs. For use later, store them in the freezer.
Substitute half applesauce for the vegetable oil in your baking recipes. You'll greatly reduce the fat content. (Example: 1/4 cup applesauce + 1/4 cup oil= 1/2 cup vegetable oil)
To ripen avocados and bananas, enclose them in a brown paper bag with an apple for 2-3 days.
Brush beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful, glossy finish.
In recipes calling for margarine, substitute reduced-calorie margarine to help cut back on fat. Same goes with sour cream, milk, cheese, cream cheese, and cream soups.
Place a slice of bread in hardened brown sugar to soften it up.
When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corns natural sweetness.
When starting your garden seedlings indoors, plant the seeds in egg shell halves. Simply crack the shells around the roots of your plants & transplant them outdoors -- the shell is a natural fertilizer.
To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh; if it rises to the surface, throw it away.
Keep the linings from cereal boxes -- they make great substitutes for waxed paper!
Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.
If you have problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.
Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water.
To get rid of itch from mosquito bite: try applying soap on the area for instant relief.
Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march - see for yourself.
Use air-freshener to clean mirrors: It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.
Are flies or bees bothering you?
Spray them with hairspray and they will take a quick dive.
Sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed.
Use empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords in. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.
For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dishwashing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze.
Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag dipped in baking soda. Comes of with little effort (elbow grease that is)!
Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!); rubbing alcohol on paper towel.
Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical.
And now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get sharpened this way!
Opening brand new jars can be a feat in itself. Well, I have found a way to make it the easiest thing to do. Instead of banging a jar of jam, pickles, etc., with a knife until it loosens up, I simply reach into the drawer and pull out the handy nutcracker. It adjusts to the size of the jar and I simply give it a good twist and off pops the lid!
Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time!
Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.
Spray a bit of perfume on the lightbulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on.
Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.
Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning.
To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!
To crumble hamburger, I use a potato masher while I am cooking it.
To make egg salad & other dishes that need chopped eggs - I use a pastry blender.
To slice eggs, use a butter slicer.
To make cakes rise more evenly & higher, bake them at 250° F until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center.
Use a piece of uncooked spaghetti in place of a fireplace match, if you are out.
To thicken stews/soups - use instant potato flakes instead of flour or cornstarch.
To make sour milk/butter milk for use in a recipe - add 1 Tbsp. lemon juice or vinegar in a 1 cup measuring cup then fill to the 1 cup line with milk. Let set a few minutes until soured.
**NOW LOOK WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH ALKA SELTZER**
Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush, and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous china.
Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets.
Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka-Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.
Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka-Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).
Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka-Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.
**SUPER HINTS**
1. Cure for headaches: Cut a lime in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
2. Use of soap wrapper: Don't throw away the wrapper after removing a bar of soap. Place it inside your shoe cabinet or shoe box. It's a cheap way of filling the air with a nice smell.
3. If your polished furniture has small scratches: Try rubbing them with a shelled walnut. You'll see the scratches disappear.
4. Are your shoes smelly? Here's a solution. Put some tea leaves into a pair of stockings and stuff each into a shoe. Leave for a day or two and the smell just vanishes. Then make a pretty tea bag and give it to your in-laws.
5. If you have problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.
6. Tips for stamp collectors: Place the envelope in the freezer for a few hours. You'll then be able to easily lift the stamps off with a pair of tweezers.
7. To keep buttons from dropping off: Dab a drop of clear nail polish onto the thread that secures the buttons. This will harden & make it more difficult for thread to break off.
http://www.angelfire.com/on3/yangela
Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator -- it will keep for weeks.
Use Lifesavers candy to hold candles in place on your next birthday cake! Kids love them.
Poke an egg with a small sewing needle before hard-boiling, and the egg will peel with ease. And hold that needle in place with a magnet refrigerator clip.
Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.
Zap garlic cloves in the microwave for 15 seconds and the skins slip right off.
Use a meat baster to "squeeze" your pancake batter onto the hot griddle to form perfectly shaped pancakes every time.
Always spray your grill with nonstick cooking spray before grilling to avoid sticking.
To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling.
Use a pastry blender to cut ground beef into small pieces after browning.
Sweeten whipped cream with confectioners' sugar instead of granulated sugar. It will stay fluffy and hold its shape better.
For easy "meatloaf mixing," combine the ingredients with a potato masher.
If you don't have enough batter to fill all cupcake tins, pour one tablespoon of water into the unfilled spots. This helps preserve the life of your pans.
To easily remove honey from a measuring spoon, first coat the spoon with nonstick cooking spray.
Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treats in the pan. The marshmallow won't stick to your fingers.
Mash and freeze ripe bananas, in one-cup portions, for use in baking later. No wasted bananas (or you can freeze them whole, peeled, in plastic baggies).
To use that frozen juice concentrate quickly, simply mash it with a potato masher. No need to wait for it to thaw. A wire whip works also.
To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing. (Try warming in the microwave oven too.)
To remove burnt-on food from your skillet easily, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stovetop; skillet will be much easier to clean.
Transfer your jelly to a small plastic squeeze bottle -- no more messy, sticky jars or knives. This also works well for homemade salad dressing.
To aid in washing dishes, add a tablespoon of baking soda to your soapy water -- it softens hands while cutting through grease.
Save store-bought-bread bags and ties -- they make perfect storage bags for homemade bread.
When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead. No white mess on the outside of the cake.
If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato. It absorbs the excess salt for an instant "fix me up."
Next time you need a quick ice pack, grab a bag of frozen vegetables out of your freezer -- no watery leaks from a plastic baggie.
When making bread, substitute nondairy creamer for the dry milk -- it works just as well.
Rinse cooked, ground meat with water when draining off the fat -- this helps "wash away" even more fat! Use HOT or Warm water so fat won't congeal.
Slicing meat when partially frozen makes it easier to get thin slices.
Instead of throwing away bread heels or leftover cornbread, use them to make bread crumbs. For use later, store them in the freezer.
Substitute half applesauce for the vegetable oil in your baking recipes. You'll greatly reduce the fat content. (Example: 1/4 cup applesauce + 1/4 cup oil= 1/2 cup vegetable oil)
To ripen avocados and bananas, enclose them in a brown paper bag with an apple for 2-3 days.
Brush beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful, glossy finish.
In recipes calling for margarine, substitute reduced-calorie margarine to help cut back on fat. Same goes with sour cream, milk, cheese, cream cheese, and cream soups.
Place a slice of bread in hardened brown sugar to soften it up.
When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corns natural sweetness.
When starting your garden seedlings indoors, plant the seeds in egg shell halves. Simply crack the shells around the roots of your plants & transplant them outdoors -- the shell is a natural fertilizer.
To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh; if it rises to the surface, throw it away.
Keep the linings from cereal boxes -- they make great substitutes for waxed paper!
Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.
If you have problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.
Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water.
To get rid of itch from mosquito bite: try applying soap on the area for instant relief.
Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march - see for yourself.
Use air-freshener to clean mirrors: It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.
Are flies or bees bothering you?
Spray them with hairspray and they will take a quick dive.
Sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed.
Use empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords in. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.
For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dishwashing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze.
Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag dipped in baking soda. Comes of with little effort (elbow grease that is)!
Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!); rubbing alcohol on paper towel.
Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical.
And now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get sharpened this way!
Opening brand new jars can be a feat in itself. Well, I have found a way to make it the easiest thing to do. Instead of banging a jar of jam, pickles, etc., with a knife until it loosens up, I simply reach into the drawer and pull out the handy nutcracker. It adjusts to the size of the jar and I simply give it a good twist and off pops the lid!
Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time!
Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.
Spray a bit of perfume on the lightbulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on.
Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.
Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning.
To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!
To crumble hamburger, I use a potato masher while I am cooking it.
To make egg salad & other dishes that need chopped eggs - I use a pastry blender.
To slice eggs, use a butter slicer.
To make cakes rise more evenly & higher, bake them at 250° F until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center.
Use a piece of uncooked spaghetti in place of a fireplace match, if you are out.
To thicken stews/soups - use instant potato flakes instead of flour or cornstarch.
To make sour milk/butter milk for use in a recipe - add 1 Tbsp. lemon juice or vinegar in a 1 cup measuring cup then fill to the 1 cup line with milk. Let set a few minutes until soured.
**NOW LOOK WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH ALKA SELTZER**
Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush, and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous china.
Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets.
Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka-Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.
Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka-Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).
Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka-Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.
**SUPER HINTS**
1. Cure for headaches: Cut a lime in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
2. Use of soap wrapper: Don't throw away the wrapper after removing a bar of soap. Place it inside your shoe cabinet or shoe box. It's a cheap way of filling the air with a nice smell.
3. If your polished furniture has small scratches: Try rubbing them with a shelled walnut. You'll see the scratches disappear.
4. Are your shoes smelly? Here's a solution. Put some tea leaves into a pair of stockings and stuff each into a shoe. Leave for a day or two and the smell just vanishes. Then make a pretty tea bag and give it to your in-laws.
5. If you have problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.
6. Tips for stamp collectors: Place the envelope in the freezer for a few hours. You'll then be able to easily lift the stamps off with a pair of tweezers.
7. To keep buttons from dropping off: Dab a drop of clear nail polish onto the thread that secures the buttons. This will harden & make it more difficult for thread to break off.
http://www.angelfire.com/on3/yangela
Laura Kaye
Avon Independent Sales Representative
Avon Independent Sales Representative
