Renovation & Design
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.
Renovation & Design
Peroxide or specialized product can get rid of the blues
QUESTION: We have Plumbago in our courtyard, a blue-flowered plant which is used in dyes. They are sticky, and a flower attached to my pants and then I sat on our cotton fabric couch. We now have a blue mark the shape of the flower right in the middle of a white area. We have taken the cover off as we can wash it, but don’t know the best thing to use. Right now, we have toothpaste on it, but thought we would ask you. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Naomi
ANSWER: Unfortunately, toothpaste won’t cut it because the fibres are permanently dyed as opposed to surface dyed. The great news is, the cover is washable. If you are fine to lighten the entire couch cover, purchase dye remover or the product Iron Out and use it according to instructions. Iron Out is easy to find at most craft stores. If you only want to lighten one particular area, remove the couch cover and soak the area with three per cent hydrogen peroxide on the blue spot. Wash, and repeat this process until the stain is gone. Paint thinner is one other option for direct treatment on the flower mark.
QUESTION: I want to have a cupcake-making party for my daughter’s birthday party. How much batter do I need for 24 cupcakes? Alvaro
ANSWER: If you make enough batter for a double-layer cake, you will have batter for 24 cupcakes. Fill each muffin liner two-thirds full. If you want to make cupcakes ahead of time, you can freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to two months.
Did you know that the first cupcakes did not have frosting, but instead were topped with lard as a kind of cake-moistening gravy? British prime minister Winston Churchill was the first person to suggest a kind of sweet frosting on the top of the cakes.
QUESTION: I inherited a strand of old cultured pearls, and I wonder if they should be cleaned, and if so how? Anita
ANSWER: Your best bet is to place your pearls into a clean pantyhose leg and tie the opening with a rubber band. Then, fill your sink with baby shampoo and warm water and clean the pearls under water using a soft cloth. Stay clear of anything containing ammonia or abrasives. Wipe pearls after each wearing. It is also a good idea to restring your pearls when the string starts to look dingy, to keep your jewelry looking its very best.
QUESTION: I find that even though the public is supposed to remain two metres apart, many people do not take this seriously, and are way too close to me while I shop. Should I tell them to move? Andy
ANSWER: Yes, if people are too close you can politely remind them about social distancing. This is such a new expectation for people that many of us forget. Problems occur when one person immediately begins yelling at the other person and causes a scene. Not only is this disrespectful, but it also spreads more germs when you are yelling rather than calming asking the person to keep their distance.
Helpful hints
• Nightcrawlers are as important to our environment as earthworms and ladybugs. But sometimes, like many other of our bug friends, they have the capacity to take over the yard by forming mounds on the lawn, making it hard to enjoy the yard or even cut the grass. If left, they can completely destroy the yard. Begin by power-raking the lawn. While there are chemical pesticides on the market, you will help yourself by watering your lawn deeply, but not often. This helps force the worms to bury themselves deep into the soil.
• To catch nightcrawlers, make a solution of one gallon water combined with one-third cup of mustard powder. Stir well and pour over soil. This will attract nightcrawlers to the surface. Pick the worms up and sell them to a fish bait store. Some businesses will pay good money for these large worms.
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 to info@reena.ca. Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca.