Question: I would like to bake some carrot cake breakfast cookies and the recipe calls for a half-cup of maple syrup. My husband has diabetes and cannot have maple syrup, so I was wondering what I can use as a substitute. — Grace
Answer: According to diabetes.org, real maple syrup in small quantities (two tablespoons) is acceptable in recipes where diabetes is a concern. Unsweetened applesauce, Splenda and unsweetened brown sugar are adequate substitutes for maple syrup. Consider substituting a half cup of real maple syrup with two tbsp. maple syrup and two tbsp. unsweetened applesauce. If your husband is restricted to no maple syrup at all, use one-quarter cup unsweetened applesauce instead.
Question: My Russian stackable doll cannot be opened, even when I follow online directions to squeeze and turn gently. Do you have any suggestions? — Mel
Answer: Here is a suggestion that had great results in the past: freeze the doll for one hour. Remove from freezer and gently twist.
If the doll remains stuck, consider spraying the seam with a small amount of WD-40, leave for 10 minutes and wipe. The drawback to this method is the smell. Test on an inconspicuous area first, and wipe with vinegar after the doll opens.
Question: I have a few spots on my stainless-steel kitchen sink that have become dull. I have tried Comet, Vim and vinegar, but nothing brings back the shine in those areas. Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated. — Shannon
Answer: Scrub your sink using an abrasive pad, dish soap and water. Wipe the basin interior with olive oil to rejuvenate the appearance of your sink.
Question: We have a humidifier on our furnace. It has a yellow pad that is on a drum and rotates through a tray of water when it is on. For some reason, the water in the tray gets cloudy and develops a slimy residue. We have changed the pad to no avail.
We have had humidifiers for years and never experienced anything like this in the past. We would appreciate your input into this problem. Thanking you in advance for your time and trouble. — Norma and Bill
Answer: Begin by soaking the pad in vinegar, rinse with water. Empty the humidifier and wipe the interior with vinegar and water. Change the water in the reservoir every day, and clean the pad every three days. If the slime issue continues, purchase a new pad for the unit.
Tip of the week: Ever have the experience of forgetting where you parked your car in an underground lot or large parking area? Just take a picture of where you parked with clear identifying markers in the picture before you leave to do your shopping. — Rick
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.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming. Need a presenter on the topic: Effective Speaking or The Power of Words? Check out reena.ca.
