8/22/12

Who knew that something that gives you fresh breath can also keep away pesky mosquitoes? Instead of an insect repellant that could contain the toxic chemical DEET, try using mouthwash instead. Pour a little mouthwash into a spray bottle, and mist away when you're outdoors. Spraying mouthwash on your skin and anywhere else you suspect mosquitoes may lurk will keep them away -- the alcohol content dries out the mosquitoes, and the eucalyptus oil inside mouthwash is a natural deterrent.

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.