Articles filed under Noel, Sara

• Keep Epsom salt on hand Jul 5, 2011 12:00 AM
  Epsom salt brings thoughts of a relaxing bath. you might pour it directly into your bath water or incorporate it into homemade bath salts or bath bombs. It can be used for more than just soothing aching muscles.
  

   

• Other uses for lasagna noodles Jun 29, 2011 12:00 AM
  When your pantry is low on supplies, it’s time to get creative. If you’re down to a box of lasagna noodles and don’t have any other type of pasta, don’t despair. They have uses other than to make lasagna.
  

   

• Dry pack flour and other household tips Jun 14, 2011 12:00 AM
  In a recent newspaper article, a lady inquired about dry-pack canning. How long will flour keep using this method? Also, will this method prevent weevils from hatching out in flour, as they sometimes do? Does it matter if it is bleached or unbleached flour?
  

   

• Storing bulk flour May 17, 2011 12:00 AM
  Q. What is a fair price for canning jars? I’m going to try dry-pack canning, and I want to buy brand new jars, seals and lids.
  

   

• Frugal Living: Zappy ways to use your microwave May 10, 2011 12:00 AM
  Frugal families tend to buy multipurpose products. But sometimes there’s a household item you rarely use. You’ll either sell or donate it or dust it off and find new ways to use it. One such item is a microwave.
  

   

• Don’t throw it a-whey May 4, 2011 12:00 AM
  Leftover liquid whey from making yogurt or cheese can be added to recipes for extra protein. You can use it to soak beans or cook rice or in place of water for pizza dough, biscuits and oatmeal.
  

   

• Colander uses won't strain your brain Apr 26, 2011 12:00 AM
  Colanders last a long time. But through heavy use, they get chipped, dented, partially rusted or melted. Eventually, you'll need to replace your old colander with a new one. Don't throw the old one away. There are multiple creative ways to use it even if it's not in perfect condition. If your colander is still in great shape, I've included a few ways to make it multitask.
  

   

• Dishwashers can do more than dishesMar 29, 2011 12:00 AM
  Dishwashers make clean up a snap. This timesaving appliance can clean more than dishes, too. Some items shouldn't be cleaned in a dishwasher, such as cast iron, wooden or brass items, crystal, quality knives and many types of pots and pans. But there are plenty of household items that are dishwasher-safe. What have you cleaned in your dishwasher?
  

   

• Frugal living: Clean and freshen your microwave Feb 15, 2011 12:00 AM
  Microwaves get dirty and smelly. It can be a pain to keep clean if you don’t clean it immediately after splatters or spills. To clean your microwave with ease, simply add a microwave-safe bowl, a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 cup water (or ½ cup white distilled vinegar and ½ cup water).
  

   

• New use for vegetable peeler Feb 8, 2011 12:00 AM
  Sara Noel says you can use a vegetable peeler for more than peeling vegetables. It’s handy for shaving chocolate for baking or hot beverages or for hard cheeses. Use it to shave rather than peel vegetables such as asparagus to top pizza, or shaved carrots, zucchini or cucumbers for salad, too.
  

   

• Ways and means of scraping up some bread doughJan 18, 2011 12:00 AM
  Dough scrapers: metal or plastic? Which do you prefer? I don’t have one yet and want to buy it only once!
  

   

• 10 things to shop for after ChristmasDec 28, 2010 12:00 AM
  The best bargains can often be found after Christmas. If you didn't get what you wanted from your holiday wish list, it's likely that you'll find it for less during year-end and clearance sales. Also, many couples have started a tradition to wait until after the holidays to exchange gifts because it's more affordable.
  

   

• Using less than is recommended Dec 21, 2010 12:00 AM
  Sometimes you might forget to measure a precise amount of a product. You tend to eyeball it and use more than is needed. This is especially true with pourable products. If you read the instructions for laundry detergent, you’ll discover it’s a lot like using shampoo. If you have less to wash, you can use less product. But how often do you automatically add a capful? Another thing to consider is that using too much detergent can make your clothes dingy and your washer smell, which makes your clothes smell, too. Using less laundry detergent works out fine when you’re simply freshening clothing and it isn’t terribly soiled.
  

   

• Grow a frugal garbage garden Dec 7, 2010 12:00 AM
  As a child, you might have grown a sweet potato plant in a glass of water. The tuber’s eyes grow slips, and the slips can be removed, rooted and planted outside. You can plant avocado pits, garlic, carrot tops or green onions, too. The first reader tip suggests yet another fun plant to grow at home.
  

   

• Use up leftover mashed potatoesNov 30, 2010 12:00 AM
  Make potato patties from leftover mashed potatoes. Simply add an egg to 2 cups mashed potatoes, form into patties and fry in a pan with a little oil. You can add meat, seasoned bread crumbs, cheese or onion for extra flavor. The first reader tip shares another way to use up leftover mashed potatoes.
  

   

• Chard and celery tipsNov 21, 2010 12:00 AM
  
  

   

• Use old canning jars for decorationNov 9, 2010 12:00 AM
  I need help with old glass-top canning jars. I was given two boxes of glass-top canning jars. They have the orange rubber seal and the metal that is around and on top of the jar. How do you use these? I wanted to make a small batch of spaghetti sauce. My sister-in-law got them for me from a tag sale.