Fresh cuts of protein like fish, chicken and beef can be frozen and used many months later if properly packaged in the freezer. The trick is to leave virtually no "air space" between the protein and the packaging material, which helps prevent freezer burn. Wrap fresh protein tightly with freezer paper and then cover in aluminum foil, pressing tightly against the protein and creating a tight seal. When ready to use, thaw for 24 hours in the refrigerator.

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If you drink carbonated beverages, which is better: plastic bottles or aluminum cans? The answer is simple: aluminum. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, aluminum cans are one of the most commonly recyclable materials today. A typical soda can goes from the supermarket to the recycling bin to the recycling facility and is back on the shelf as a new soda can in less than 60 days. This recycling process can be done indefinitely because aluminum is durable, unlike plastic, which can be recycled a few times before being discarded into a landfill.

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When cooking at home, be sure to match the size of the burner to the size of the pot you're cooking with. According to Recyclebank, a 6-inch pot on an 8-inch burner actually wastes 40% of the burner's heat; simply moving the smaller pot to a smaller burner can help save energy and still get the job done. And when reheating foods, skip the large oven and opt for smaller users of energy like a countertop toaster oven or microwave. They have less space to heat up and work just as well in a jiffy.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION