Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Everything is better when you add a little butter
Question: Many of my recipes call for unsalted butter, but often when I am at the grocery store I notice only salted butter is available in no-name brands and therefore less expensive. What is the difference between using salted and unsalted butter in cookie recipes? Brittney
Answer: Most people would not recognize the difference between cookies baked with salted or unsalted butter. Salt is added to butter to extend its shelf life and therefore stores tend to carry a larger variety of salted butter. If you decide to use salted butter when baking cookies, simply skip the salt called for in the recipe. Unsalted butter is typically listed in cookie recipes so that the baker can control the amount of salt going into the cookie.
If you ever notice that your home baked cookies (baked with butter) flatten and spread way too much while baking, consider using half butter and half margarine in the recipe instead of all butter, this will give you a really nice texture and cut down on some of the cholesterol. Experiment to find the best non-hydrogenated margarine for your recipes.
Question: Three pack Romaine lettuce keeps well in the original package in the crisper, but after it is washed and kept in a container in the refrigerator, the ribs and some of the leaves turn brown. What is the reason for this? Sergio
Answer: Browning lettuce edges is caused by enzymes and polyphenols, and when they combine, they oxidize, which turns many fruits and veggies brown. When lettuce is cut or torn the cell walls are damaged and the edges quickly turn brown. To sustain the life of your lettuce once you have purchased it remove leaves from the core, wash and spin. Wrap leaves in paper towels and tuck them inside of a sealable plastic bag. Romaine lettuce turns brown faster than iceberg lettuce.
Question: The sliding doors in my closets glide smoothly until just before they are completely closed. Is there anything we can use so they will close without sticking? Thanking you in advance, David
Answer: A closet door that won’t properly close is often the result of a misaligned door track. Using a screwdriver, tighten the door tracks. If the door still sticks, replace worn roller wheels. If necessary adjust the height of the door using the screws or plane the door. Lastly, replace the guides and the door should easily close.
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 at: reena.ca.
info@reena.ca
Renovation & Design
Sodium reduced gravy will still float your boat
Question: I bought a package of gravy mix but found it salty, is there anything I can do so it's not as salty? Ashir
Answer: Next time you purchase store bought gravy, look for sodium reduced packages. If the gravy is already cooking in the pot, add a potato to the gravy to absorb some of the saltiness. Another option is to add milk, sodium reduced broth or water to dilute the flavour. If this is the case combine flour or cornstarch with the liquid while it is still cold before adding it to the gravy, so that the gravy thickens.
Question: I have a tricky, sticky situation and as I read your column regularly, I thought you might be able to help. I had a tenant in my suite for the past year and he has now passed on. My problem is that he left the sink in such a state that I had to replace it. It was completely coated in tar, as are the pipes below. I have replaced the sink, but the pipes still reek of tar and I cannot have anyone back in the suite until I get rid of the smell. Have you any ideas of how I might clean the residual tar out of the pipes and get rid of the smell of tobacco? Thanking you in advance, Tammy
Answer: Begin with this easy method of cleaning the drain: Pour one-cup vinegar into the drain, chase with one-cup baking soda. Plug the drain and fill the sink with hot water (do not leave water in sink if small children are in the home). Leave overnight and in the morning, drain and pour hot water down the sinkhole. If the odor remains; clean the drain with a commercial product such as Drano, use according to the directions. If you still notice an odor; turn off the water and place a pail under the U-shaped pipe under the sink. Remove the pipe from the drain. Using a baby bottle brush, thoroughly scrub with vinegar, dish soap and water. Replace the pipe and turn the water back on.
Question: Often a recipe calls for a half teaspoon of lemon zest. The rest of the lemon goes into the garbage. If I was to zest the whole lemon and juice, can lemon zest and lemon juice be frozen? What is the best way to do that? Katharina
Answer: You never need to throw fresh lemon into the garbage. Either grate the entire lemon rind (excluding the stem) and place the zest into a sealable container and freeze (the juice also freezes well). Or zest as much as you require and put the remainder of the whole washed lemon into a sealable freezer bag or container. Close the seal and place the container with the lemon, inside the freezer. Whenever you require zest, take the lemon out and use your grater to zest as much as you need of the frozen lemon. Place the remainder back inside the container/bag and into the freezer for next time.
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.
Have a great suggestion or tip? Please send an email at: info@reena.ca. Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca.
Renovation & Design
Unplug appliances to avoid phantom power consumption
Question: I work long hours away from home and I always leave my coffee maker and toaster plugged into the electrical outlet. I assume that appliances are made to remain plugged in when not in use. Is this safe? — Stoddle
Answer: Some appliances need to remain plugged whether you are home or not such as the fridge, stove, washer and dryer. However, according to the Ontario Minister of Energy (energy.gov.on.ca), "Even when household appliances and electronics are plugged in, but turned off, they use electricity. This is called phantom power. The easiest way to stop phantom power is to simply unplug your appliances and electronics when you’re not using them. If this isn’t practical, then consider plugging appliances into a power bar or smart strip. Try to group appliances that you use together into the same power bar, like a computer and printer in your home office, a television, video player and stereo in the living room or a coffee maker and toaster in the kitchen. Make sure power bars are in spots that are easy to reach so you can turn them on and off." In other words, when possible unplug appliances such as the toaster, coffee maker when not in use. Also, ensure that no electrical unit ever sits on top of the cord. It is wise not to run the dishwasher or washer/dryer when no one is home.
Question: How can I prevent furniture from sliding on the floor so that it doesn’t leave marks on the wall when someone sits down? — James
Answer: The easiest solution is to cut a piece of non-slip shelf or drawer liner the same size as the furniture feet. For furniture that remains in place, cut the shape and simply slide the shelf liner underneath each foot. For furniture that is made to move such as kitchen table chairs you will require some kind of adhesive to hold the liner in place. Use one drop of Super Glue or wood glue depending on the furniture material. There are sticky pads available, however, that don’t always hold and often collect dust and hair. Other ideas are to install chair rails or pieces of Plexiglas onto walls so that chairs have no direct contact with the wall. You can also cut small sections of carpet tiles and apply them to the corners of chair backs using double sided tape.
Question: I love enjoying wildlife. Can you give me a few pointers on how I can attract butterflies to my garden? Thank-you, Vince
Answer: The first rule when wishing to attract butterflies to your yard is to avoid using toxic chemicals in your garden. Butterflies love colourful flowering plants. Place a shallow dish of muddy water in a sunny spot. You may find butterflies visit the mud puddle, however this is not recommended in areas where mosquito breeding is a challenge. You can also build or buy your very own butterfly house from a nature store and paint it bright colours. The house should be positioned in a woody part of your yard (not out in the open), and if butterflies decide to live in the house, they will probably not do so until fall (possible during the second season).
Where did butterflies get their name? Although no one knows for sure one legend is that butterflies were once believed to be witches in disguise. The witches stole milk and butter at night, thus giving them their unusual name.
Hint for hummingbird watchers
Every year I enjoy watching hummingbirds visit the feeder that I hang outside of my window. I notice that they often visit the plastic flower that faces away from my window, which blocks my view of them. I now put a piece of painter’s tape on that flower. They now visit the feeders that make them visible to me from my window. They are so fun to watch. — Marilyn
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.
Have a great suggestion or tip? Please send an email at: info@reena.ca. Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca.
