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The Manitoba Co-operator | November 21, 2013
COUNTRY CROSSROADS
Reena answers more questions Plus, reader feedback and some handy tips Reena Nerbas Household Solutions
Dear Reena,
Any tips on how to keep my potatoes fresh for a long period of time? I am tired of throwing out potatoes. – Thanks, Borcan
Hi Borcan,
When storing potatoes choose ones that are firm and free of sprouts, green skin or spots. Green potatoes may contain a substance called solanine, which is bitter and can be toxic. If potatoes have turned green, trim off the green areas before using. To prevent potatoes from greening, they should be stored in a dark, cool place that is well ventilated. Potato sprouts are poisonous; cut off the sprouts and the potatoes are fine for eating. Store an apple with potatoes to prevent sprouting. When a potato grows an “eye” the potato starts to shrivel. This means the potato shrinks and the outside skin gets old… just like people. Next time you see a potato growing an “eye,” take a knife and cut the eye off. The potato will not shrivel up as quickly. Avoid storing potatoes with onions, because when close together, they produce gases that spoil both.
Tater Tips:
• No need to throw potatoes or potato peels into the garbage, they are easy to compost. In the winter collect left over fruits and veggies into an empty ice-cream bucket and leave outside to freeze. When spring arrives; dump the contents of your buckets into your compost pile. • Use boiled potato water to kill weeds or to make yummy-tasting gravy. • After you empty the water out from boiled potatoes, place the saucepan over low heat back onto the stove and shake the potatoes a few times. This prevents potatoes from sticking and keeps them fluffy. • Instead of boiling potatoes for just one meal; boil additional potatoes with their jackets on. Once cooked, store them in the fridge. Next time you decide to make potato casserole, potato soup or potato salad, prep is a cinch. Taken from: Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets.
Don’t store potatoes with onions, because when close together, they produce gases that spoil both. photo: THINKSTOCK
Hi Reena,
I need a suggestion for a painless way to remove bandages. My eight-year-old screams every time I begin to pull the bandage off. – All the best, Vanessa
Hi Vanessa,
Dip a cotton ball or cotton swab in oil (olive or baby) and rub it against the bandage. This will allow the bandage to fall off. Another option is to remove the bandage after she has taken a warm bath; water and warmth help loosen the glue that holds bandages onto skin.
Dear Reena,
hint is to secure lids on pens when not in use. A home-schooling teacher once told me that she always keeps ballpoint ink pens in sealable bags when not in use to keep them working longer.
Dear Reena,
I am a seamstress and often use velvet ribbon for finishing edges of dresses and blouses. Often the ribbon frays, unravels and curls up, leaving the ends unfinished looking. Your input would be much appreciated! – Thank you, Mavis
Hello Mavis,
How can I prevent my ballpoint ink pens from drying out? It seems that in the winter they stop working after only three or four uses. Love your books. – Mariam
Good for you for keeping up the art of handmade apparel! When you prepare velvet ribbon for cutting, run a bead of clear nail polish across the ends. After it dries, cut through the coated area. Your edges will no longer fray, ravel or curl.
Dear Mariam,
Fabulous Feedback from Readers:
The ballpoint pen has replaced the fountain pen as the most popular tool for everyday writing, due to its reliability and convenience. When it comes to most things in life you often get what you pay for, and ballpoint ink pens are no exception. One
I recently received this little anonymous gem on my voicemail:
Hi Reena,
Just want to let you know that last week I noticed ballpoint ink on my leather couch.
Freelance contributor
• Since I have hard water, when canning, I add 2 tbsp. vinegar to the pot when boiling snap lids, 2 to 3 tbsp. into the canner, and 2 tbsp. into the pot when blanching tomatoes. This softens the water and eliminates the hard water scum. • For cleaning stove burner pans, grimy oven windows or burnt casserole dishes, mix a thin paste of equal parts of white vinegar and cream of tartar and apply. Leave on for 30 minutes or more and clean with a
scouring pad, rinsing with cool water. Lemons are useful for so many things: • Rub lemon juice into cutting boards to eliminate odours, or to get rid of stains. Leave until odour is gone or stain disappears. • For fridge odours, pour lemon juice on cloth or sponge and leave in fridge till odour is gone. • Use 1/4 cup lemon juice per wash load to get a cleaner wash (vinegar gets the same result). • Rubbing with lemon juice disinfects germy hands. • Wipe the stains on counters
Tips of the Week:
• When using paint trays for household painting jobs, try slipping an empty (and very clean) plastic bag over the tray before pouring paint. Instead of having a paint tray to clean up, it’s a simple job to remove the plastic bag and discard. • Buff out scuffs on suede using a cardboard emery board or a piece of light sandpaper. Proceed gently, making sure not to damage suede. Or place the affected area of the suede over steam from a kettle of boiling water to raise the nap and then carefully brush out with a suede brush. • Before filling a plant container with potting soil, first lay a coffee filter on the bottom inside of the pot and then add the soil on top. This will prevent the soil from draining out of the drainage holes when you water the plant. I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Missed a column? Can’t remember a solution? Need a speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my videos/blog/website: reena.ca.
Reader’s Photo
Handy hints for the home By Joanne Rawluk
I used non-bleach, non-gel toothpaste on the area and the ink came out instantly!
with lemon juice to clean and disinfect. If the stains are stubborn, mix in vinegar and water to wipe down. • Put 1/2 lemon inside a chicken when roasting for flavouring and tenderizing. Can also mix lemon juice with your favourite herbs and rub under the skin for more flavour and to retain moisture. • A cut lemon on top rack of the dishwasher is a good rinse agent. Secure it so it stays put through the cycles. Joanne Rawluk writes from Gypsumville, Manitoba
This one didn’t make it off the tree before the snow. PHOTO: CINDY MURRAY