Best of Rexanne's Web Review - Tips & Tricks

In each issue of Rexanne's Web Review monthly newsletter, there is a "Tips & Tricks" section, with reader tips, tricks and some I've found that I hadn't already seen or received via email 1000 time already. ;-) This page was created to help you find your favorites without having to go through each archived newsletter version or, if you've just cruised in looking for some great family and parenting tips & tricks, enjoy the information!

Do you have a tip or trick you'd like to pass along? Please send it for possible publication in one of the next issues of Rexanne's Web Review and this page: Click here to submit your tips & tricks:TIPS

101 - Cardboard Tubing

Cardboard tubes (from toilet paper, paper towel and wrapping paper rolls) make super holders for many other things. Use them to store clean plastic bags from the market, stick a small present inside and wrap as usual, cut and wrap a cardboard tube around an opened roll of wrapping paper to keep it from unraveling, keep wires and electrical cords from tangling by running them through a cardboard tube, store children's art work rolled inside, etc.

Have you used a cardboard tube for something not mentioned? Please share your idea!

102 - Egg Safety

Eggs are very healthy in moderation but they can also cause severe health problems for your family if you're not careful. This site will give you the low down on egg safety which is good information to store in the back of your brain so it becomes second nature: Egg Safety

103) - Cleaning Corn on the Cob

Rubbing a wet paper towel or dish rag over a piece of corn on the cob will remove all the silk threads. Nifty huh? :-)

When cleaning your windows, be sure to wipe horizontally on one side and vertically on the other. This way, if you have streaks, you'll know which side to re-do.

105) - Lemon Juice Ice Cubes

I often use lemon juice when cooking. One way to get around the hassle of squeezing a fresh lemon each time you need one is to squeeze a bunch of lemons at once, then pour the juice into ice cube trays and freeze for later use. One lemon ice cube is equal to about a tablespoon of juice (depending on your ice tray size). Pop one out and let it melt before using or toss a few in a baked dish. Lemon ice cubes can also be used to make lemonade. Drop a few into a glass of cold water, add sugar to taste and stir. Yum!

Roll towels before putting them in the linen closet. They take up much less room that way! As for sheets, put the fitted sheet, top sheet, and one pillowcase all into the other pillowcase of each set. Seem to take up less room, are neater, and far more convenient than searching through the pile to find the matching set.

Here's a link to the entire page if you feel like absorbing lots of good hints and tricks all at once: Broom Closet

Right here, from someone who loves to cook the Thanksgiving feast: Thanksgiving Cooking Tips

And for quick reference, here are the Thanksgiving cooking hotline numbers:

Butterball Turkey Hotline - 1-800-323-4848

Reynolds Turkey Hotline - 1-800-745-4000

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline - 1-800-535-4555

USDA Poultry Hot Line: 800-535-4555

Land O'Lakes Bake Line 1-800-782-9606

108) - Recycling Plastic

It's no secret that we've got way too much disposable plastic polluting our world. Recycling plastic is environmentally smart and saves you money, too. Here are a few ideas for recycling plastic grocery bags:

* Re-use as dog poop picker uppers,
* diaper disposal,
* Small trash can liners
*Keep a few in the car as a trash or barf bag (especially useful when your child
is feeling pukey)
*As adult lunch bags (kids would hate this - don't traumatize them LOL).

Other plastic recycling tips:

*Re-fill plastic water bottles with purified water after washing them thoroughly.
* Save the plastic bags from delivered newspapers for dog or diaper messes.

Do you have more good plastic recycling tips? Please share them: Plastic Recycling Tip

109) - Cleaning Burnt Starch off an Iron

To remove burnt and scorched starch from your iron, rub with aluminum foil. Works like a charm! :-)

110) - Top Ten Tips for Organized Living

- Organize and Save Money

10. Pantry: Place cans/boxes of food in your pantry so the older ones are in front of or on top of the newer ones. That way, the older food will not get stuck on the back of the shelf where it could possibly spoil. Spoilage = Loss of money

9. Library Books: When you take books out of the library, write their due dates on your calendar. Even ten and fifteen cent late fees can add up at the end of the year.

8. Lunch: Eating from the vending machine lately? Spend five minutes after dinner preparing and packing the next day's lunch. A sandwich, leftovers from supper, or a serving of Saturday night's Chinese take-out packed the evening before makes for a quick, easy, and cost-effective lunch. (Pack a beverage or drink water for even more savings!)

- Organize and Save Time

7. Errands: Jot down your list of errands for the day. Map out their geographical locations in your mind. (Is the supermarket near the library? Is the copy shop on the same side of the highway as the post office?) Next, organize your list of places by their geographical proximity to each other and your home or office. This will help you decide where to go first, next, and then last - walking or driving to your destinations in a logical order. This five-minute task prevents you from zigzagging across town and can potentially save you hours of time. (Don't forget to bring your list with you!)

6. Dishwasher: Unload clean dishes directly into the cabinets instead of placing them out on the counter first, then putting them away. This eliminates one step in the 'putting away' process as well as many steps across your kitchen floor.

5. Checkbook: No more shuffling through pages of carbon paper to find your next blank check! After writing checks, paperclip the carbon copies of those checks together. The next time you go to write a check all you have to do is turn to the paperclip and you are ready to write your next check.

- Organize and Save your Sanity

4. Keys: Create a specific 'home' for your house/car/office keys. By placing them in their 'home' you'll always know where they are when it's time to leave and lock up.

3. Stuff: Gather and pack your 'stuff' at night for the next day. Ask yourself: What will I need for tomorrow? An umbrella? Gym bag? Allergy medicine? Put it in your tote or leave it by the door as a reminder.
P.M. Planning = A.M. 'Grab-n-Go'

2. Emergency Phone Numbers: Keep a list of emergency telephone numbers next to at least one phone in your home. The last thing you should have to do during an emergency is search through a phone book or wait for a phone operator. This list is also beneficial to house guests, baby-sitters, and anyone else spending time in your home.

And the Number One Tip for Organized Living is ...

1. Relax: No one can get organized overnight. Take baby steps toward your organizing goals. That may mean spending fifteen minutes a day purging your closet or sorting through a stack of papers. Or, it could mean delegating one item from your to-do list per week. Make sure to work at a pace you are comfortable with. Most importantly-- don't forget to reward yourself along the way as you progress towards achieving your goals. You've worked hard and you deserve it!

Courtesy of: Organized Artistry

Thanks Stacy!

111) - Arnica Gel

I am so in impressed with the benefits of Arnica Gel that I created a page on my site to pass on the word.

Arnica gel is an amazing topical gel that soothes sore muscles, reduces swelling and bruising and generally works on many minor aches and pains. This stuff works wonders! Read more about Arnica Gel and order some for your home: Arnica Gel

112) -Mini Fresh Fruit Juice Popsicles

Little kids love popsicles when the weather turns warm. For those who have toddlers and little ones, this is a great way to let them have a popsicle and enjoy a little nutrition, too.

Fill ice cube (or popsicle) trays with any fresh fruit juice or combination of juices to make healthy fruit pops. The ice cube pops won't hold a stick until they're almost fully frozen. If you don't have popsicle sticks, use a sturdy wooden toothpick. Insert the sticks or toothpicks into each cube when almost completely frozen and let the pops freeze on the stick completely before serving.

113) - Best Stain Removal

I'm pretty fanatical about laundry. One thing I've found especially effective is spraying stains with stain remover as soon as they happen or as soon as I see them.

After many years of trying every stain remover on the shelf, I've finally figured out that liquid detergent is the best stain killer I can be spraying on stains, both as soon as they happen and before tossing the garment into the washing machine. Fill an empty stain remover spray bottle with the same liquid Tide (or any other liquid detergent) you use for washing clothes and it works like a charm - usually better than any other stain remover.

114) -Broccoli Chips

Getting kids to eat broccoli can be a potential battle which is unfortunate because broccoli is one of the healthiest foods we can feed our children.

I found a great way to give my kids the benefit of broccoli which could potentially be a much better source of the nutrients than the cooked variety.

When preparing broccoli, remove most of the stems, cutting off the dried ends. Peel the stems of all the outer dark green pigment. The remaining stem will be pale green and easily cut into "chips" (bite-sized pieces) or cut them lengthwise into sticks. These broccoli "chips" are sweet, crunchy and delicious and taste much like Jicama, which most children will eagerly devour. Offer broccoli chips to your kids as a special treat. They'll soon be fighting over who gets the bigger piece. :-)

Broccoli chips can also be served with dip or tossed in salads.

115) - Shoe Odor Control

I never would have believed that this tip works if I hadn't tried it. It's just great, if a little weird.

If your kids wear their shoes without socks, they are going to eventually create an odor that will tear your face off if you get too close to them. Sure, you can toss their athletic shoes in the washing machine but what about those UGG boots your daughter insisted on wearing without socks? Arghhhhh - Wrap those stinky shoes or boots in a plastic grocery bag and stick them in the freezer overnight. The odor will disappear!

Want to know why this works? ... bacteria dies when it freezes and odor from shoes is caused by bacteria. :-)

116) - Computer Screen Font Size

I don't have a clue where I found this tip but it's a goodie for those who have a hard time reading the tiny print on some web pages:

Have problems with font size? Hold your CTRL key and roll your scroll wheel on your mouse and ZZZZOOOOOMMMM.

If you recognize your words, let me know who you are and I'll credit you in the next newsletter. :-)

117) - Cleaning Silver

If you've decided to use your gorgeous silver serving utensils for holiday meals and they are brown and tarnished, make a paste of vinegar (white or wine vinegar works) and salt. Rub on silver pieces and watch the tarnish turn to gleaming silver.

118) Baby Wipes

For parents with kids in diapers, there is more than one use for baby wipes. Use one to clean your hands after changing baby, wipe down the surface of baby's changing table and furniture for a quick clean up, keep a box handy in the kitchen for counter spills and to clean baby's face after a messy meal. I used to keep a box in the car when my kids were little for greasy hands after an impromptu snack and for shoe clean up before getting back in the car after a day in the park.

119) 10 Ways to Show Affection

A list of simple ways to show your love on Valentine's Day or anytime:

1) Writing a love letter to your child
2) Helping your child do chores
3) Random hugs
4) Inviting your parents to dinner
5) Helping a friend move
6) Listening without interruption
7) Drawing a bath for your mate after a hard day
8) Spending time with a lonely family member or friend
9) A home cooked meal
10) Family game night

120) Save on Heating Energy

A simple way to save on your heating bill is to keep your vents clean so they won't have to work as hard to heat your home. Vacuum heating vents at least once every 2 months to keep dust and grime from collecting and making your furnace work harder.

121) Flea Removal

If your dog or cat has fleas, try adding a few drops of Dawn dish washing detergent to your pet's shampoo. Rinse your pet especially well after washing to avoid skin irritation. I haven't tried this as my pets don't go outside much and don't have fleas. Please let me know if this works for you!

122) Wash the Peels

When cutting into a juicy watermelon this summer, remember that bacteria from the skin of the fruit can contaminate the inside from the knife when you cut into an unwashed melon, banana, orange, etc. Wash the outside of all fruits and veggies you plan to peel with a course rag or vegetable scrubber.

123) Uses for old lunchboxes

Speaking of lunchboxes, have you discovered that old lunchboxes make excellent storage vessels? Many of them are highly collectable, too, so holding on to them is kinda cool but they take space so use them! Here is a list of what I store in my children's old lunchboxes:

Photographs

Arts & Crafts Supplies

Recipes

Cocktail napkins

Plastic party utensils

Souvenirs

Keepsakes

Small kitchen accessories

Coupons

Kid's snacks (boxed raisins, fruit snacks, candy, etc.)

Stamps, envelopes, address labels, stationery

Checks and check registers

Business cards

Makeup & cosmetics

Costume Jewelry

Accessories

Kid's action figures and small toys

CDs and DVDs

Sticker collections

Pencils, pens, sharpies, erasers, etc.

Have any to add to the list? Please, let us know!

124) Repel Flies

To repel flies, tack or tape a zipper baggie half filled with water and a few pennies to the doorway. Flies seem to avoid this concoction like poison and many people swear by this trick.

125) Making School Lunches Your Kids will Love

After reading this horrifying article about the quality of meat in school cafeteria lunches I was riddled with guilt for all those times I took advantage of the convenience of cafeteria lunches for my kids. Yikes! If I had to do it all over again, I'd figure out easy ways to make their lunches myself. I'm hoping you will all contribute to this subject and send in your ideas and tips for making kid's lunches. Please send your thoughts and tips for future publication: School Lunch Tips

Here are some to get started:

- If your kid has a lunch box or soft lunch bag they love, they will be happier about bringing lunch from home.

- Sandwiches make the best base for a home lunch. For a switch up, a bagel with cream cheese, a piece of chicken, or a home made burrito also work well. Include seasonal fresh fruit or raw veggies, chips or crackers and a thermos of milk, juice or a juice box and a sweet surprise for dessert. Fresh fruit can double as dessert and it's a much healthier option. Occasionally, add a piece of cake, a baggie of cookies or a Twinkie. :-)

- Include a love note with your child's lunch or a note of encouragement if you feel your child needs a little boost of confidence. I used to add quotes with a special meaning or an encouraging word about a test or event I knew was on their minds. Get creative and your child will look forward to your "love note" every day. You could also use this space and attention to remind your child of an after school event, appointment or to remind her to give her teacher the Teacher Appreciation gift you put in her backpack.

- Always write your child's name on a sack lunch to avoid another child grabbing it by mistake. You can decorate the paper bag a little if you're creative or just add a happy face or a heart to dot an i in their name. This is best for kids in elementary school. Try not to embarrass your middle or high schooler with these bursts of Momisms. :-)

- Sure the eggplant parmigiano you all had for dinner the night before was healthy and delish. Even if your child loved it, do not add it to their school lunch. Other less culinary adventurous kids will invariably say something nasty and your child will end up dumping it into the nearest trash can to avoid further shame. Same goes for that funky smelling cabbage soup. ;-)

- Include a napkin in their lunch. This is a good reminder to wipe their mouth and hopefully keep them from smearing food stuff on their sleeves.

- If your child has an aversion to turkey, don't assume that sending him to school with a turkey sandwich means he will actually eat it. He'll more than likely dump it or trade for a coveted PB&J. Make your child a sandwich or meal he will actually enjoy. This is better than him not eating lunch so deal with his food weirdness and know that he'll at least be fed midday.

- A word about pre-packaged lunches: I avoided them like the plague. My kids loved them but they are filled with chemicals and other undesirable ingredients. You can make your own by filling her lunchbox with crackers, sliced cheese, sliced meats and your own choice of drink and dessert. You could send your child to school with a pre-packaged lunch once a month or so. Add it to their lunchbox or lunch bag with a napkin.

- If Friday is pizza day in the cafeteria and your kid begs for it, go ahead and indulge him with a caf lunch once a week or twice a month or whatever you feel comfortable doing.

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