10/1/12

Has the power gone out to your home recently? Not sure what's safe to eat or what to toss from the refrigerator? The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a website that lists foods you can keep and ones you should throw away. The department warns that appearance and odor are not good indicators of which foods are safe to eat. For example, milk should be tossed, but butter and processed cheese are fine to keep. Fresh fruits that are cut should be tossed, but an open jar of fruit juice is fine to keep. For the whole list, visit foodsafety.gov.

9/30/12

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, an astounding 40 percent of food in the United States ends up in a landfill. To help cut back on food waste, try this simple tip to save leftovers at home. Invest in small, reusable flat containers with matching lids, and divide leftovers into smaller containers. This will help the food cool down faster, which prevents bacteria spores from germinating like they do in large containers. The benefit of several containers also helps with portion control, so family members can opt to reheat one container instead of an entire batch of food.

9/29/12

If your automatic dishwasher isn't getting your plates, pots and pans sparkling clean anymore, try this trick before replacing it: Clean the filter inside the machine. At the bottom of your dishwasher is a filter that is designed to keep large particles of food away from the internal pump. Over time, the filter can get clogged from grease and other debris. Simply remove the filter, and give it a good scrub in the sink. When you run the dishwasher again, you may be surprised how clean your dishes will now be. As always, refer to your owner's manual for specific instructions.