Every morning, there’s one more thing you should bring into the shower with you: your reusable water bottle. Water bottles should be washed after each use, and one easy way to save water and time is to simply wash it in the shower. To disinfect the bottle, you need hot water and a little bit of soap. Just put a small amount of dish soap in the bottle and then fill it up with hot water from the showerhead. Shake, rinse and shower yourself off. Then let the bottle air-dry before using it again. It’s that simple!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Is glossy paper recyclable? We’ve been told that shiny paper should never be put in the recycling bin, but glossy paper in magazines is totally recyclable. So what’s the deal? Generally, how coated the paper is determines its recyclability. Normal glossy paper like magazines and junk mail can be recycled. But gift wrap -- which is often mixed with foil and nonpaper material -- is the tricky one. Generally, if you crumple up paper and it stays crumpled, it’s recyclable; if it doesn’t, toss it in the trash. Paper can be recycled up to seven times before the fibers lose strength, so recycle whenever possible.

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Many parents use disposable plastic food pouches filled with fruit and vegetable purees as a handy way to give their kids a healthy snack on the go. But did you know that those laminated plastic pouches are very difficult to recycle, and that millions end up in landfills? If you like the convenience and not the waste, consider investing in reusable squeezable pouches. These durable plastic pouches can be reused hundreds of times and filled with whatever puree you make at home. And they work just like the pouches your kids love to squeeze and eat from. When finished, just toss in the dishwasher or wash by hand. Search online to find reusable pouch brands like Squooshi.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION