If you eat a lot of bananas, here's one reason to save your peels: They make a fantastic fertilizer for houseplants. Simply toss your banana peels into a large jar full of water; let the peels saturate the water with nutrients like potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus and magnesium. After a few days of marinating, use the banana peel-infused water to feed your houseplants. They'll drink it up, and the nutrient-rich water will lead to improved plant health. The leftover banana peels can then be tossed into your garden or compost.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

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.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION