Matthew Mead / The Associated Press
If you have more pizza than you can eat, freeze it.
Question: We had a party and ordered way too much pizza. We do not want to eat pizza for the next three days, any ideas of what we can do with the leftovers?
— Beatrice
Answer: Restaurant pizza is a great treat and I agree you don’t want to waste even a slice. Thankfully, you don’t have to. Freeze the leftovers in good-quality sealable bags, pack the pieces loosely and remove all air; your pizza will last for a few months. Defrost the slices in the fridge and re-heat them in a frying pan.
Question: How can I restore the colour of my faded black T-shirts?
— Norma
Answer: Purchase black Rit dye and use the dye according to the directions on the box. Rit dye may be purchased at most craft stores. Make sure to follow all of the instructions included in the package.
Question: I would like to know how to get rid of newspaper ink on my walls, furniture, cupboards, fridge handles, cupboard handles, light switch covers, almost every place that I can find in our house where my sister touches without washing her hands after or during reading several newspapers for five hours every day (day in and day out).
It’s a disgusting bad habit not to wash your hands and to respect the property that is shared by both. Please advise on how to wash away the blackened marks everywhere that she touches.
— Kelly
Answer: Since you mentioned a variety of affected surfaces; you will need a few different cleansers. Baking soda and dish soap are a great starting point. Make a paste with the products and scrub. Rinse with water.
Question: I find it difficult to open water bottles. Some are worse than others but none are easy for me.
— Leslie
Answer: To make it easier to open a water bottle. Wrap an elastic band around the lid several times; the elastic band allows you to grip the lid. Grasp and turn, the bottle seal should release with ease.
Feedback from Caring Manitoban
Re: Tough and rubbery muffins
I just read your column regarding a reader who bakes tough muffins. The muffin problem could be due to overmixing; doing so will produce a terrible product with a rubbery texture. This is the first thing I taught in Home Ec.
— Pat
Chicken Tips of the Week
• Before cooking chicken, partially cut the chicken in half and open the chicken so that it looks like a butterfly. The new shape becomes flat and even, so that the chicken cooks perfectly. Or pound chicken pieces with a mallet or the back of a small frying pan, so that the chicken cooks evenly.
• I can’t believe that people actually purchase skinless chicken breasts, they are way more expensive than chicken with skin on and the healthy fat adds flavor when the chicken is cooked. Also cooked boneless chicken almost always ends up tasting dry.
— Micah
• I love to pan fry chicken breasts in a bit of stock. Just before the meat is done, I add butter to the frying pan; I cook the chicken just until the pink is gone (about 160 degrees Fahrenheit).
— Mark
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
