A blender that doesn't puree, froth or whip like it used to may need just one simple repair. Before tossing it in the trash, try sharpening the blades. Carefully disassemble the blender and remove the blade attachment; it should twist right out from the bottom of the blender. Then use a sharpening stone (from any kitchen supply store) and run each edge of the blade along the stone. Make sure you run them on an angle going in the same direction. Repeat for all sides of the blades. Rinse, dry and reassemble. Now enjoy those summer smoothies.

Want to make the easiest DIY all-natural body scrub soap at home? All you have to do is cut up a bar or two of 100 percent natural glycerin soap and melt it in a microwave-safe bowl or cup for about a minute. Stir in a few tablespoons of natural exfoliates like coffee grinds or beach sand. Pour the mixture into a mold (a clean juice or milk container works well) and allow it to set. Voila! You've made your own body scrub!

Have a hard time keeping houseplants alive? Going away on vacation and wanting your plants to thrive while you're away? Here's a simple way to give them a fighting chance and recycle newspaper at the same time: Give your thirsty houseplant a good drink of water, then place a layer of newspaper on top of the soil. Keep watering until the newspaper is completely saturated. This does two things: It help seal in the moisture in the soil so the roots stay moist, and over time, the newspaper will break down into a beneficial mulch for the houseplant. If you have arid-loving plants like succulents and cacti, all you have to do is remove buds and flowers and place them in a sunny spot. Removing the flowers means the plant needs less water to stay alive. In fact, they can go months without watering if you pinch the buds off.