Skills for everyday living.
Heather says: I promise you, that if you can make grilled cheese, you've got these shrimp quesadillas in the bag. In our house as the weather gets warmer we find ourselves reaching for lighter and lighter fare. Shrimp quesadillas are a perfect main dish item for spring and summer. Don't go too heavy on the cheese, allow the shrimp to take center … [Read more...]
Dear Home Ec 101, Yesterday you posted about running the hot water before running the dishwasher. I see a lot of save money and be green by turning down the temperature of your water heater. What temperature is the right temperature? Will having my water heater set at 110°F make finding that sweet spot in the shower less of a … [Read more...]
Dear Home Ec 101, I have always followed my Mom's advice about running hot water in the kitchen sink before (and while) turning my dishwasher on. She also says that if you run the cold water at any point while your dishwasher is running, the water in your dishwasher will be cold. My husband recently replaced our sink and garbage disposal and … [Read more...]
Heather says: The next time you are at the store and snicker when you see the canned air -remember The Lorax?- grab a can anyway. Why? Because it's time to clean out your computer. I never remember to do this until my computer decides to throw a tantrum, which it did yesterday, twice, in a meeting. /facepalm I'm just glad it was with … [Read more...]
Dear Home Ec 101, I am having a dinner party and I want to have chicken wings as part of the meal. How long should I bake them for to make them taste perfectly tender? Signed, Winging it in Wyndham Heather says: Actually I have a couple of answers for you depending on how you picture your chicken wings. Do you want tender fall off the … [Read more...]
Formaldehyde Revisited
Heather says: Commenter Keter raises some interesting points: Formaldehyde in clothing also makes it more flammable, and can cause contact dermatitis. Washing will remove the chemical treatment. Baking soda adsorbs (yes, that’s spelled right, it is a chemical process, no a physical one) some of it, but does not neutralize it. Try soaking the clothes […]