03/20/12

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average family tosses about $600 of groceries into the trash every year due to spoilage. Here's a simple tip for one veggie: If your celery stalks aren't crunchy anymore, crisp them up by cutting the bottom off the stalks and placing them in a cold glass of water with a splash of white vinegar. In no time they'll drink up the mixture, and your celery will be as good as new.

03/19/12

According to This Old House magazine, charcoal from the backyard grill can have myriad detoxifying uses around the house. When arranging flowers, place a few briquettes in the bottom of the vase to keep the water fresh and clean. If you have smelly kitchen cabinets, place a piece in the back to absorb odors and excess moisture. And lay a few pieces on top of orchid plants to help them thrive; the flowers love the alkalinity of the charcoal.

03/18/12

It's common knowledge that large, plugged-in electronics -- even when turned off -- still draw "phantom power" that wastes electricity and money. But did you know that other, smaller electronics in your home draw power, too? Anything with a plug draws power, so walk around and unplug rarely used things like stereo speakers, gaming systems and printers. If you do this, you could recoup hundreds of dollars on energy costs over time.