7/18/10

Foods that have natural mold origins are safe to eat if there is small bacterial growth. Cheese with mold -- hard cheese, cheese made with mold (like a blue cheese) as well as cured meats and salami -- is safe to eat if you cut out at least one inch from the moldy spot. Cooked foods, leftovers, soft cheese and produce with mold should not only be thrown away, but should not be smelled for safety; breathing in mold can cause respiratory problems.

7/17/10

Have you ever thought about cleaning the inside of your dishwasher? Over time, hard water can leave trace minerals inside the dishwasher and in all of the draining mechanisms. Rinse it all away by filling a cup with white vinegar and place it upright inside the dishwasher on the top rack. Then run the whole dishwasher with just the one glass and it'll clean the inside good as new.

7/16/10

Bamboo has become a popular landscaping plant because it can grow fast and very tall to create natural fencing and borders. If you're lucky enough to have bamboo or have a neighbor who is willing to part with some, consider using it in your home as a sturdy (and free) curtain rod. Just measure the length of the rod you need, cut the bamboo to the appropriate length, and thread the curtains onto bamboo.