FREEZING LOAVES OF BREAD
Dear Heloise: As a retired couple, we just don’t use up bread like we used to. When I buy a loaf, I immediately separate it into two-slice packages in plastic sandwich bags and rebuild the rest of the loaf in the original bag. I then freeze the whole loaf. It is easy to use and thaw two slices at a time! — Judi Brauns, in Green Valley, Arizona
THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT!
Dear Heloise: You suggested a tape measure rather than a ruler for a college student to have on hand. Cellphones come with an app called Measure. It is quite handy and accurate! — Robin A., in Bakersfield, California
CATCHING FOOD PEELINGS
Dear Heloise: Instead of putting newspaper or other things in your sink drain to catch vegetable peelings, why not just use a colander? It’s easy to use and washable. — C.J.E., in Arkansas
C.J.E., there is now a new product on the market that grinds up leftover food scraps and makes the perfect compost out of them. It’s odor-free and can be found online, in appliances stores, and sometimes in hardware stores. — Heloise
OUR WONDERFUL LIBRARIES
Dear Heloise: Readers recently wrote in about different resources for research, such as bookstores, internet searches, and the local library. LIBRAries are connected to an app titled Libby; by using your library card from your local library, you can access books through your electronic device and also listen to audiobooks.
A friend told me about this when I was spending too much on electronic books and subscriptions for the privilege to read them. — S.C., in Tulsa, Oklahoma
SNACK MACHINES
Dear Heloise: I wanted to mention how back in the day, we used $1 bills for snack machines. I haven’t seen a snack machine that takes less than $1 in a long time — or rolls of quarters, too! — Daphne K., in Vancouver, Washington
Daphne, I haven’t used a snack machine in over 10 years. In fact, I’ve noticed a number of places that used to have snack machines don’t have them anymore or have reduced the number they have. Thanks for the update! — Heloise
PRESERVING GUACAMOLE
Dear Heloise: To keep guacamole from turning brown, it needs to be kept oxygen-free. I used to make guacamole in a restaurant (using 20 pounds of avocados). After I divided it up into the serving containers, I would take plastic wrap and press it onto the surface of the guac. Then I would pat it down so that there were no air bubbles. Make sure you get around the edges, too. — Dawn G., via email
AIR IS THE ENEMY
Dear Heloise: To keep air out of a food container before refrigerating, close the lid, then put your elbow (straight up) on the top of the lid. Lift a corner of the container while pushing down with your elbow. Let all the air out, close the lid, and put in refrigerator. — Carolyn P., in Tustin, California
TO THE LAST DROP
Dear Heloise: Do you or any of your readers know a way to get the last of the coffee grounds past the rim of the coffee can? It seems a waste to not be able to get it all out. Even if I want to reuse the can for something else, the coffee is still in there! — Sally, via email
Sally, this is a good question! Readers, do you have a solution to Sally’s dilemma? — Heloise
SEND A GREAT HINT TO: [email protected]
(c) 2025 by King Features Syndicate Inc.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.nj.com ’
