Question: I am going on a camping trip with my grandchildren this winter and they can’t stand being outside. I want a treat that would be fun to make outside; maybe this will get them excited about the good ol’ days. Do you have an idea?
— Mary
Answer: I’ve got two words for you, chocolate brownies! All you need for this recipe are a few ingredients, plastic bags and water. Into a sandwich bag put: one crumbled sleeve of graham wafer crackers, 1/4 cup of your favourite chopped nuts (e.g. walnuts or pecans) and two tbsp. icing sugar. Into a different large sealable bag combine: 1/4 cup water, 3/4 cups chocolate chips (yum) and three tbsp. dry milk. Over the fire, simmer a little pot of water. Remove from heat and dip the sealed chocolate bag into the pot of water. When the chocolate has melted, add the ingredients from the first bag. Combine and knead. Eat warm or cool and enjoy brownie chunks!
Question: My husband put a closet organizer in my son’s closet that is some kind of particleboard I guess, and it smells horrible. He can’t even use his closet. What can we do to get rid of the smell other than throwing it out and wasting hundreds of dollars?
— Ramona
Answer: What you are likely smelling is the resin that binds particleboard together. Ventilating is the most effective solution for allowing the board to off-gas. Anything that you wipe onto the board, such as tea tree oil or vinegar, will help for a few minutes, but will not last long. The smell will diminish over time, but you may wish to store the organizer in another area for a few weeks. Once you begin using the organizer, store an open bowl of fresh coffee grounds in the closet to absorb residual odours.
Question: Where do I purchase whole clove powder spray to get rid of ants?
— Brenda
Answer: Whole clove spray may be found in garden stores as well as online; however, it may be difficult to locate. Here is an easier solution: purchase whole cloves and soak about 10 in one litre of water for two days. As you give the cloves time to penetrate the water, the solution becomes potent. Reapply after rain.
Question: I have a sign before entering my house, "Please take your shoes off before entering." Women take their shoes off, but men usually don’t. The carpet in my living room, hall, bedrooms and up and down the stairs have dirt marks from shoes. How can I clean them?
— Sandra
Answer: Here’s a riddle: what goes up and down a hallway but never moves? Answer: carpet ha-ha. Hi Sandra, If you do not own a steam-cleaning machine for washable carpets, then laundry detergent is your best bet for cleaning large, dirty carpets. Into a bucket combine: 3.8 litres of water with two tbsp. heavy-duty laundry detergent. Scrub the area with a cloth and rinse with water. For small stains on carpet, use regular shaving cream. Rinse with water.
Question: I am considering entering the professional world of baking. I intend to use great quality ingredients only. How can I choose great quality cocoa?
— Sweet thanks, Leslie
Answer: Premium cocoa is 22 to 24 per cent fat; compared with the regular cocoa that many people buy, it has twice the fat content. Even at twice the fat, it does not equate to much and is worth the better quality. Compare the labels on different kinds of cocoa and purchase the one that has one gram of fat per five- to six-gram serving.
Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.
Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca.
