8/20/12

Canned soup can be a convenient way to have a warm meal in minutes, but it can also be risky for your health. A chemical lining called bisphenol-A (BPA) is in most canned foods, and it has been linked to adverse health effects like abnormal development of reproductive organs in newborn children. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, 90 percent of Americans have traces of BPA in their bodies. The easy switch is to buy soup in glass jars or aseptic cartons -- they are free of BPA and just as convenient to use.

8/19/12

A good, sharp knife is key to preparing any meal at home, but even the best knives can dull over time. If you don't have a knife sharpener, reach for this DIY version instead: a ceramic coffee mug or terra-cotta pot. Unfinished bottoms on both surfaces are the perfect roughness for sharpening. Run your knife blade against it at a 45-degree angle. Do this for several swipes, and you'll have razor-sharp knives.

8/18/12

During the summer months, our electrical grid is often strained during the hours of 3 to 7 p.m., when air conditioners are running at their peak. You can help relieve the strain on the grid by not running household appliances during that time. If you run your dishwasher, washing machine or dryer early in the morning or late at night, you'll also save money: Peak-hour electricity costs more since the electric companies pass the extra costs onto you.