10/3/13

Recent reports indicate 40 percent of fresh and delicious fruits and vegetables are simply thrown away because they are too ugly. Instead of being used to help feed people, it ends up landfilled and totally wasted. Do this one thing: Overlook aesthetic beauty when choosing produce, and look for the freshest and highest quality instead. When looking at irregularly shaped fruits and veggies, rely on scent to determine if it’s ripe and ready to eat. Touch the produce to make sure the skin is firm and taut. By buying the ugliest in the bunch, produce won’t go to waste at the supermarket.

10/2/13

Are mineral deposits in your showerhead and faucets causing clogs? There’s no need to uninstall them or replace them -- reach for a freezer bag, rubber band and white vinegar instead. Fill the bag halfway with white vinegar and submerge the showerhead in the bag; use the rubber band to secure it to the neck of the showerhead. Leave the bag for two hours, then reuse it for other showerheads or faucets. The mineral deposits will dissolve because the natural acids in vinegar work as a solvent.

10/1/13

If your home runs on central heating and cooling, be sure to replace your air filters about every three months since a dirty filter can make the system work harder, which wastes energy. Did you know the air filter needs to be installed in the right direction in order to work effectively? One side is more porous than the other, so if the filter is installed backwards, your furnace or air conditioner will have to use more energy to pull air through the incorrect side. The result is an increase in energy waste and filters that do not properly capture dust particles and other debris. To prevent this, install the filter correctly.