Safer Microwave Cleaning

by Ann Landi — November 6, 2006

Monday November 6th
Safer Microwave Cleaning

Most cleaning products leave a chemical smell on the inside of your microwave, and food comes out tasting of chemicals too. “A natural alternative that works great is to fill a microwave-safe dish about halfway with water, squeeze in the juice from half a lemon, and then drop the lemon into the dish,” writes Casey Swangren. Place the dish in the microwave and cook until hot and steaming, about three to four minutes. Remove with potholders and wipe the interior clean. “The steam and citrus will remove crusties and grease and leave a pleasant scent.”

Tuesday November 7th
Non-Skid Kids’ Furniture

“Here’s a tip used in elementary schools as a quirky but effective safety precaution and noise reducer,” says Christine Margiotta of Rotterdam, NY. “Cut slits into tennis balls and place them on the bottoms of your chair legs. This might not be the most aesthetically pleasing accessory for the dining-room furniture, but it works great on kid-sized tables and chairs in playrooms. The tennis balls eliminate squeaks across the floor and nobody will get hurt if the chair topples over.”

Wednesday November 8th
Neater Bed Sheets

“No one has a lot of time to spend organizing the linen closet,” writes Emilie-Noelle Provost of Lowell, MA. “One way to make life a little easier the next time you change the sheets is to do a bit of advance planning. After washing and drying, fold sheets neatly into a compact pile and place the whole stack inside a pillow case.” That way you’ll have a pile to go for each family member, without having to rummage around for missing pillow cases.

Thursday November 9th
Smoothie of the Week

“In the fall, some people can feel a bit edgy or blue as the days get shorter and sunlight gets weaker,” notes M.J. Hasty of Philadelphia, PA. “I developed this smoothie using ingredients that have been shown to have a positive, comforting, and stabilizing effect on your spirits.”

The Mood-Lifter Smoothie
1 banana
1 tablespoon molasses
1/4 cup walnuts (or walnut butter if you prefer a smoother smoothie)
1 tablespoon raw cocoa (unsweetened)
1 cup milk, soymilk, or almond milk

Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender.

Friday November 10th
Website of the Week

Ever wonder what chemicals make up the ingredients in your favorite household products? Have the occasional rash and can’t figure out what’s irritating your skin? Now you can find out. Dr. Astrid Moise from Cleveland, Ohio, recommends consulting this free website sponsored by the national institute of health, http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/. “You can click on a common household product, like Static Guard. Identify one of the main ingredients—in this case isobutene (a flammable gas that can cause shortness of breath and skin irritations),” she writes. “You can then find out what other household products contain the same ingredient. Shout Spray Stain Remover, Glade Spray Air Freshener, and Right Guard deodorant all contain isobutane! This is an invaluable resource to ensure the safety of yourself and your family."