8/21/12

Many people like to hang wreaths on their front doors to decorate their homes. And many birds mistake the wreaths as potential places to nest. Since killing a bird that nests in your wreath is cruel and illegal in most communities, try this little trick: Embed some magnets inside the wreath. The magnetic field is disruptive to many birds, making the wreath an uninhabitable place. It's a safe way to keep your wreath nest-free.

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.