Cast iron is an excellent choice to cook with because it is incredibly durable, naturally nonstick and free of any questionable chemicals like PTFE and PFOA, which are found in many nonstick pans today. If you're in the market for a cast-iron skillet, however, avoid the temptation to buy a "pre-seasoned" one. Pre-seasoned means the pan has been pre-sprayed with a layer of fat at the factory. Since the source of fat is not required to be on the label, those with peanut allergies could be affected by pre-seasoned pans. Instead, look for raw-iron pans and season them yourself using your own oils, so you know exactly what's in the pan when you cook with it.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

I may be the season for snow on the ground, but now is a good time to start saving items we normally discard to use for our spring gardens. Save worn T-shirts and pantyhose, and cut them into strips to tie plants to support stakes. Cardboard egg cartons can be filled with potting soil to start seedlings; when ready to transplant, simply tear and place in the garden soil, carton and all. And used paint stirrers can be plant ID markers; just write the plant name with a permanent ink pen and stick the stirrer in the ground. Looks cool, and it's free!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It seems logical that a resale shop like the Salvation Army Store or Goodwill would want any extra wire hangers from the dry cleaner that you have in your home, since those stores sell a lot of used clothes. But they don't want your hangers unless you have lightly used clothes hanging on them to donate as well. Instead, take your wire hangers back to the dry cleaner or bundle them together for recycling. Retail plastic hangers are a bit more difficult, so the next time you buy clothes, leave the hangers at the store for reuse or recycling.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION