TIPS FOR A LIFETIME

Here are a few handy tips to make life easier. If you wish to add to this list then e-mail your tip to the Webmaster. See contact page for details.

• Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.
  
• Use a meat baster to "squeeze" your pancake batter onto the hot griddle perfect shaped pancakes every time.
  
• To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
  
• To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the
  water before hard-boiling.
  
• Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treat in the pan - the marshmallow won't stick to your fingers.
  
• To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing.
  
• To easily remove burnt-on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a
  boil on stove top - the skillet will be much easier to clean.
  
• Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato-based sauces - no more stains.
  
• When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of
  the dry cake mix instead - no white mess on the outside of the cake.
  
• If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still
  cooking, drop in a peeled potato - it absorbs the excess salt for an instant "fix me up".
  
• Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the
  refrigerator it will keep for weeks.
  
• Brush beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield
  a beautiful glossy finish.
  
• Place a slice of apple in hardened brown sugar to soften it
  back up.
  
• When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help
  bring out the corn's natural sweetness.
  
• To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh - if it rises to the surface, throw it away.
  
• Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
  
• Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.
  
• If you have a problem opening jars: Try using latex
  dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easier.
  
• Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water.
  
• To get rid of itch from mosquito bite: try applying soap on the area, instant relief.
  
• Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march - see for yourself.
  
• Use air-freshener to clean mirrors: It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
  
• When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.
  
• NOW Look what you can do with Alka-Seltzer:
  CLEAN A TOILET - drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush, and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous china.
  CLEAN A VASE - to remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets.
  POLISH JEWELRY - drop two Alka-Seltzer tablets into a glass of
  water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.
  CLEAN A THERMOS BOTTLE - fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka-Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).
  UNCLOG A DRAIN - clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka-Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.