8/30/12

Here's a one-time green thumb fix that will have a long-term impact on your air conditioning bills: plant some ivy at the base of your house. Allowing ivy vines to crawl up the walls of your home provides a natural buffer between your house and the hot sun in the same way a shaded tree keeps your home cool. The ivy plant absorbs heat and thrives from the sun's rays, and it reduces reflection on your home to keep it cooler. Ivy is also an easy-to-grow plant that thrives with almost no upkeep.

8/29/12

Many synthetic fiber T-shirts, sweatshirts and shorts are popular with athletes since they often contain technology that helps wick away sweat. While these clothes may wick away moisture, they also absorb odors and can be almost impossible to launder away the smells. The solution is a natural and easy one: Fill a sink with hot water and a few tablespoons of baking soda and white vinegar. Soak the clothes for several hours and launder as normal. The clothes will come out smelling fresh and clean.

8/28/12

Who knew? The FDA legally allows up to a whopping 60 percent of canned or frozen berries to contain mold and still be sold in a supermarket. While many berries are perfectly fine to eat, to be absolutely sure your berries are free from mold, go fresh instead. When strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are in season, freeze them on a flat cookie sheet and store them in airtight containers. Only then do you know they are 100 percent free of mold.