Hints from Heloise: Freezing bread, preserving guacamole and more …

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

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