It’s Healthy Living Weight Loss Workout Clean Kitchen *WHATEVS* Tip Day!

by

It has been FOREVER since we’ve done a plain ole GIVE US YER TIPS post at MizFit.

A collection & gathering of our fave health/fitness/life balance suggestions.

As always, I’ll start us off with my most recent conglomeration of I Cant Believe It has Taken Me So Long To Figure This Out! moments.

1. Baking treats for Halloween? Spray your rubber spatula with cooking spray and the batter wont stick (how do I KNOW Marianne is already aware of this one).

B. The faster you drink your coffee the less likely it is to stain your teeth (I love this one. I love my morning coffee. Im happy to oblige & inhale quickfastandinahurry).

11. Adding cucumber slices to the water you drink is both pretty and acts as a natural diuretic (anyone already know this? I had no idea…)

D. We (not the royal. Never the Bumbling Band.) tend to GAIN WEIGHT when we change clothes immediately after work (from fitting outfits to loose & baggie sweats). Those who remain in more constricting attire tend to consume fewer calories at night.

(again, please to remember these are merely tips & not necessarily how MizFit rolls no matter how good for you the suggestion.)

13.Looking to stretch your food purchasing dollar? If your recipe calls for ground white turkey try using 10% Grapenuts cereal (it works, People, and NO ONE is the wiser. until now, anyway).

y. Left with extra coffee in your morning pot? freeze the excess into cubes so that, when you make iced coffee later, it can be kept COLD without being watered down (please to refer back to B. and feel sad for Miz that she was *quite excited* about this realization).

Z. This may only be for the parents (although with Halloween right around the corner perhaps NOT): need to remove face paint without your Tornado having a hissy fit because it is taking so long? Two words: olive oil. One more word: EASY!

Ok.

That’s all Ive collected since last time.

You? Got anything for us?
What’s that you say? you need enticing?

Fine.

All through October Scott Common Sense has been chatting about healthy living.

They’ve been featuring daily tips on site and have generously offered to give one member of the Bumbling Band a 100 dollar Visa Gift Card to spend on his or her healthy living endeavors.

New clothes? Gym membership? Personal trainer sessions? Groceries? Whatever you want!

And that’s not all! The lucky Visa card winner *also* gets a one year supply of Scott bath & towel products (MizFit note: dang!)

Suddenly recall an amazing health/fitness/life balance tip to share?

I thought so.

You can be entered to win for the lowlow price of a comment below.

And, alas, it’s USA only (I know) so the old rules apply: if you win and youre a NON USA RESIDENT you may pick another commenter to receive the treat.

Think of it as your bigass Random Act of Kindness for the year.

winner will be announced friday morning 10.31


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Comments

  1. This is probably obvious to most poeple, but it took me about 100 years to figure this out: Use a meat mallet (or a soup can) to pound the heck out of your boneless, skinless chicken breasts before cooking. They cook faster and more evenly and stay a whole lot moister.

    I can’t tell you how many dry chicken breasts I’ve suffered through over the years. 🙂

  2. Instead of using liquid fabric softener or dryer sheets you can soak a wash cloth in the liquid softener, wring it out, let it dry and then you can throw it in the dryer and use it as a dryer sheet. Will last about 60 loads. That will make your fabric softener go lots further and save you some money!!! 🙂

    For your toddlers, save different size boxes. Shoe, diaper, any size box you can find, but try to find a variety of sizes. Tape them closed and if you want cover them with brown or white kraft paper. Let your child color them or put stickers on them. Then use them for building blocks. They’re easier for you child to pick up and they have loads of fun knocking them over!!!

    Hmm that’s all I have for right now…

  3. You make me laugh, you’re so funny! I loved your post today. Your comment to my buddy, Dee, concerning your “interested” made me laugh too. Oh! I look forward to reading more. In the meantime, I did want to thank you again for your encouragement yesterday and it’s also nice to meet someone who shares my love for coffee. Do you have a favorite blend?

  4. I love the idea of making iced coffee cubes- how smart! I never make iced coffee at home because I think it always tastes watered down! Thank you Miz!

  6. The tip that has helped me the most is 1.Slow down 2. Stay Organized-when I do these two things I have a much easier time finding time to work out,eat healthy,and does wonders for my sanity. Also, I drink a coffee with flavored creamer(caramel apple is my fav right now) in place of dessert after meals. I have definitely found out through trial and error,the more sweets I eat,the more I want.Less sweets=less cravings for them.

  7. Great tips! I am going to try the spatula one.

    I have two coffee tips:

    (1) Put cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice (or your spice of choosing in with the grinds before grinding or in with the coffee before making it for a nice kick.

    (2) If you use milk like I do (lots) warm it up first and stir it with a whisk for a cheapy latte.

  8. I have tips!

    1. If chopping onions make you cry, suck on a teaspoon while you’re doing it. It really works.

    2. I always nuke messy stuff like soup in the microwave, and that stuff can be HELL to clean off. Put a mug of hot water, vinegar and lemon in there and mic it up for a minute or so. The horrible soup stains will wipe away EASY.

    TA x

  9. If chopping onions make you cry, suck on a teaspoon while you’re doing it. It really works.

    does this work if youre crying because onions kinda ick you out?

    M.

  10. Leftover coffee? Nah…

    If you have used a stick of butter in your recipe, use the paper to grease your pan. There is plenty there!

    Stuff your coolers full of balled up newspaper for winter storage and they won’t stink come summer.

    You can give coffee grounds to acid loving plants (I can’t, because apparently I love too much…)

    Moisturize your face about 1/2 hour before putting on Halloween make-up so that it won’t dye any dry flaky parts.

    I need more coffee…more later!

  11. The most useful thing anyone can do on their quest for healthy living is discover what their “trigger foods” are. What are the things that once you taste, you cannot stop until they are finished, and probably most of the contents of your fridge are consumed too.

    When we learn what activates the binges, it’s easier to avoid them.

    I live outside the US, so a simple, “Hey Kim, you’re a wonderful guy” will do 🙂

  12. hmmmm. My random tip is:

    If you end up with a laptop purchased at costco (because it so fit many criteria and your NO MORE CREDIT CARDS price range and, well, you need a computer as yer husband benevolence won’t last for ever) please to know it may rebel initially.

    Miz., with you in sprit notsomuch on the blogvisits.

  13. I’ve got a tip. Don’t eat a bag of cheetos for dinner. Will likely make you sick. (see above re: “trigger foods”)

  14. I had NO IDEA about the grapenuts cereal, that is awesome!

    My tip: apples before crap. If you are tempted by junk food, eat an apple first. If you still want the treat, then go ahead. Chances are you will be too full to want/need it. 🙂

    as for the gift card, I would totally use it to get a gym membership. It’s only in the 30s here now (sigh, what the hell happened to FALL?!) so there are no more stroller workouts for us. 🙁

  15. Thanks for the random tips Miz. Love ’em!!

    There’s a coupon on my page for Road ID’s send everyone there as they give back to charity on every purchase so not only do you benefit one of charities does too.

    xoxo

  16. 1. No matter what they age of your kid(s), put your arms around them, hug them, squeeze them, kiss them and tell them how much you love them and how proud you are of them.

    2. Grab your lover unexpextedly, stare into their eyes, and with all your heart say; You’re amazing and I love you!

    Everyone probably knows these….but it’s nice to write it.
    😉

  17. Keep an eyed on your blood sugar. If you’re craving sweets, it may be an indication that it’s out of whack. I usually forget this and cave to the sweet treat. My tip? Eat a few raisins, esp. with brekkie. It helps me. Not medical advice and related as anecdotal only.

  18. UH OH. Methinks Marc is gunning for MALE BUMBLING BAND MEMBER OF THE YEAR (aka MBBY).

    any challengers?

    M.

  19. I massage olive oil into my cuticles (I’e read some women use it all over as a body lotion and it keeps skin looking VERY young with the antioxidants. But you smell like a baking sheet, no?)

    In the winter, when my workout clothes have been sitting in the car all day and are icepops, I warm them up with the hairdryer at the gym. Nice and toasty!

    Be careful drinking the coffee – no scalding, please!

  20. Hmmm just one tip, and I have a hard time sticking with this one myself:

    Go bun-free at restaurants. Restaurants often butter the heck out of the buns, so your calorie count is usually higher than you’d expect. Skip the bun, get dessert? 🙂

  21. I’m wondering if Grape Nuts are really that much cheaper than ground turkey? Any math majors wiling to crunch numbers?

  22. Wow, I am so intrigued by tip #13! Am now pondering on whether Grape Nuts could replace 100% of the turkey? Probably not…

    My fave healthy living tip (that I can’t take credit for) is to put beans in everything! Cheap too. I put garbanzo beans in cookies (um, pureed, not dumped in like chocolate chips), use them as spread on sandwiches and even make fudge entirely out of pinto beans and fudge sauce out of black beans! Go fiber;)

  23. Okay…I am loving ALL of these. In fact, I’m printing the entire article, including the comments, because you all are so SMART! (Marc…WOW…I don’t even know what else to say.)

    My tips? I just found this the other day, and probably everyone in the world already does this except me because I’m clueless – to keep socks together in the wash, safety-pin them together at the toes. They still get clean, but you don’t end up with half a dozen solo socks. I’m pathetically excited about this one.

    Also, I haven’t tried this one but I keep hearing that you can remove onion or garlic smells from hands by rubbing anything made of stainless steel while you’re washing your hands. It sounds sort of goofy, but I’m trying it anyway, because I never seem to have lemon juice when I need it.

    V.

  24. wow what a great collection of tips!
    here are a couple of random ones:
    1. spray the tablespoon with nonstick spray before measuring peanut butter– it slides right off
    2. when you have a dinner party and are too tired (or inebriated) afterwards to wash the dishes, make sure you put some water in the red wine glasses, about an inch or so. the next morning, when you’re less likely to break something, the wine glasses aren’t stained!

    happy tuesday miz!

  25. keep those used dryer sheets! When you’ve got a dirty pan that looks like it’s been sitting there for day-er, week- put the dryer sheet in the pan, fill with hot water and let sit a bit before cleaning. Crazy, I think i learned this from my aunt, and employ it every time i make lasagna!


  26. DAMN! you all never fail me (cue Miz getting misty eyed) & yes Im gonna gather a bunchbunch of these tips down the road & post so ya’ll can simply hit print.

    and this?

    Wow, I am so intrigued by tip #13! Am now pondering on whether Grape Nuts could replace 100% of the turkey? Probably not…

    well, my sister from another mister, I wondered the same…not all of it I dont think by Im gonna play around with it…lessening the turkey each time and see how it goes.

    I think 50/50 might be the least ‘meat’ we could get away with?

    M.

  27. But I WANT the batter to stick to my spatula so I have an excuse to lick it clean when I’m finished!!!

    Count me in for some Scott!

  28. So Cool.

    Love the coffee in the ice cube tray thing.

    Olive Oil? Wonder if it removes Crayola Marker? Gonna have to try since B drew a circle around his eye last night in an effort to look like I don’t know what.

    Thanks for the tips and the chance to enter an awesome contests.

  29. I’m usually just a lurker but I decided to comment. Use paper coffee filters with your glass spray to clean windows and mirrors. They don’t leave lint like paper towels.

  31. I’m humbled by the collection of wisdom you’ve gathered here.

    I know. I say it all the time but the Bumbling Band? TOTALLY AMAZING.

    Im but a tiny piece in the MizFit pie (ok bad word choice. now Im hungry).

    any Chicagoans reading? KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR A MEET UP POST.

    we’re gonna have a Bumbling Band Brunchtypething when Im in chicago for quaker!

    M.

  32. I’ve been exploring the wonderful world of vinegar lately. Here are a couple of tips I just picked up:
    1) Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a quart of drinking water to help combat heat stress (don’t need that HERE this a.m.–brrrr)
    2) Add a tablespoon or so of vinegar to the pot when boiling eggs. It will keep any eggs that crack in their shells.

    Thanks to all for the great tips!

  33. That grape nuts tips is great! I’m going to try it next time.
    I freeze our leftover coffee and it really does make iced coffee taste much fuller.

    Thanks for these tips!

  34. haha…I am going to go buy some really tight clothes and wear them all the time. …then I don’t have to worry about weight gain…or breathing..haha.

    My tip: microwave a wet sponge for a few seconds before you clean your microwave. It will loosen up any stubborn spots.

  35. Make meatloaf or meatballs with up to 50% oatmeal instead of bread or cracker crumbs.better for you and no one at my house even noticed it wasn’t mom’s regular recipe. Even got a few comments about it being moister.

  36. ok I am DEFINITELY doing the freezing coffee thing.

    the ren man SO MOCKED me I feared it meant I had an addiction 🙂

    I dont care if the coffeecubes are DECAF—-I just loathe the watery.

    Miz, who thanks you for normalizing her shit.

  37. Great tips, Miz!

    Here’s one from my brother: Make a pot of extra strong coffee, too strong to drink by itself. Freeze it in ice cube trays, then blend it up with your protein powder and water/milk for your morning java smoothie! I’m guessing he uses vanilla flavored protein powder, ’cause I’m thinking strawberry wouldn’t go too well with the coffee.

  38. The only thing I can think of right now is slip used Bounce sheets in teenagers shoes….need I say more?

  39. To clean the glass window in your wood-burning stove, dip a damp paper towel in the ashes from the stove and rub the window. Use another damp paper towel to wipe it clean.

    Put dryer sheets in with your stored out-of-season clothes – helps keep the mice away, and keeps the clothes smelling sweet. (far better than mothballs….anyone else remember that smell?!)

    And make sure you use reflective tape on your little goblins’ costumes so they are visible to vehicles.

  40. love all the tips. great way to start my morning. and I wanted to say not to enter me in the drawing.
    I love coming here because you inspire me and because I know that your readers are working towards the same thing I am in my life.

    i appreciate the support and look forward to your daily posts.

    katrina

  41. We just started freezing our coffee for iced coffee! It’s great. We also put sugar or splenda in it while the coffee is hot and then freeze into cubes. Sometimes I like to do a coffee smoothie, mix skim milk and coffee ice cubes in the blender. What a treat!!! 🙂

  43. Add protein powder to coffee for a drink that tastes like you got it at Starbucks.

    Use a golf ball to massage your feet (put it under your foot, and press on the ball. Roll it around).

    Olive oil can be used as a deep conditioning treatment: heat it up, rub into your hair and scalp, wait 15 minutes, wash it out.

    Rinse your hair with mint tea to make it shiny (this works really well for those with oily hair).

    Use old newspaper to clean windows. They’ll sparkle.

    Apply lotions, whatever, to your face in an upward motion, as gravity does enough downward pulling.

    If you sweat a lot, rubbing some baby powder on your back will help you stay fresh.

    Chewing a coffee bean can get rid of garlic breath.

    To cut snacking at night, rub lotion onto your feet when you watch TV. It’ll give your hands something to do, and your feet will be happy.

    Microwaving a sponge for 15 seconds or more will sterilize it. You can also toss them in the dishwasher if they start getting stinky.

    You can walk your kid in the cold. Just bundle him/her up and coat their face with vaseline. When you come home, the kid’s nose will be runny. (My mom’s an RN, and she did it all the time. We survived. A bonus about the runny nose is that it takes germs with it, so it may help the kids stave off a cold. And if the kid’s got a cold and is congested and stuffy, well, that was how Mom un-stuffed our noses).

    You can also put Vaseline on a small cut that you’d prefer not to band-aid. Just re-apply after washing the area.

  44. tricia2? are you possibly looking for a part time nanny position?

    its a lovely climate here in the ATX and the Tornado, as she grows, shall be downgraded to a Tropical Storm.

    please to ponder.

    Miz.

  45. Dang – all my tips have already been mentioned!

    Here’s one that’s relevant to the upcoming holiday – if your child wants the $40 halloween costume, just buy the thing and be done with it. Don’t think you can make it from scratch any cheaper – you’ll spend more on fabric and time than if you had just bought the stupid Jedi costume in the first place!! Sometimes it does not pay to be a cheapskate.

  47. Halloween tip: Cut foam out in the shape of a state. Paint it. (if your kid likes that idea. You can also paint it to look like money, or attatch a poster of real art.)

  48. Three tips!

    One for winter: my feet get super crackly when the air dries out so I schmear my tootsies with petroleum jelly and immediately cover them with big comfy socks. I sleep like this every night and it keeps my heels from looking like the ground in an arid desert.

    One for a stinky garbage disposals: throw any type of citrus rind in the drain after things like onions or garlic (or if something nasty got left behind from the last whirl of the disposal). The citrus totally rids the disposal of pungent and/or nasty smells.

    And one for the coffee grinder: if you bychance double the responsibility of your coffee grinder using it for spices, garlic, onions, etc., you can use a piece of bread (preferably somthing soft like potato bread) to get the stink out. Just tear it up into a couple of small pieces and grind it up. Then wipe out the remains with a dry cloth and viola! No cumin spiked coffee grinds!

  49. Oooh one more! My husband is known for not rinsing all of the toothpaste off of his toothbrush (eeeh, gross). I can only tolerate the toothpaste crusties for so long before I run the toothbrush in the dishwasher. The hot water cleans and sanitizes and my husband is none the wiser!

  50. I’ll take my after-work sweats over my work clothes any day of the week 🙂 I’ll use my self-control to worry about those excess calories!

  51. Such good tips! Love the spatula idea.

    I LOVE getting into my pjs right when I get home from work/school, especially on cold/dark days. But usually I have to go out again at some point in the evening or people are over so I keep my regular clothes on. Maybe I should be happy about that!

  52. Wow, the coffee ice tips are great. I’m not in the US but I’ll play along… since I heard a few people mention protein powder, here’s one – add cocoa powder to your protein smoothie. A TBSP of cocoa powder has less than 15 calories and tastes soooo good in a banana and protein powder smoothie.

  53. I change into my workout clothes before I leave work to go home. That way, I have no excuse to bail on my workout and when people see you leave the office ready, they hold you accountable.

  55. To clean grease from things like the cover from the fan over your stove, put them in the sink in really, really hot water, dump some baking soda on them, then pour vinegar on them.
    You can also use the soda and vinegar to clean your drains. Run some hot water down the drain after a few minutes.

    Use vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser in the washer when you wash your towels. They will be more absorbent and just as soft as when you use fabric softener.

  57. Fitz? Since I’m an *expensive* eater those sheets are my perfume.

    All the time.

    (Never wear the same scent twice…keeps Ren Man guessing)

    Its one way I can cut back on my spending as I’m SURELY not cutting back on the beef jerky.

    😉

    M.

  58. I can’t make myself get up early to work out so I work out first thing when I get home – if I start cleaning, doing laundry, checking email, etc, forget about it. But if I change into workout clothes and hit the aerobics right away, I am good to go.

    Love the tips BTW.

    Always grateful for MizFit!

  59. One more – I put olive oil in a ziploc and then watch TV with my fingers soaking in the bag. It can be messy if not done with care, but it makes for an incredible manicure.

  60. Similar to the Grape Nuts tip….
    If you like tacos but want to add some fiber, replace some or all of the beef with brown rice.
    To add to the tip on using newspaper to clean windows….
    You can also use a solution of vinegar and water instead of glass cleaner with those newspapers to get sparkling clean windows.
    You know how when a recipe calls for chicken broth you usually have a bunch left over from the can? I freeze the rest in my silicone muffin pans to create 2 oz. broth cubes that I can use later.

  61. Okay… If you like sugar scrubs that sell for +/- $20 make your own by mixing sugar, olive oil, and a little essential oil together. Works awesome, moisturizes like crazy, and is crazy cheap. But only use it the day you clean your tub because it leaves the tub a lot slippery. If possible get the boyfriend/husband to clean the bathroom that day. 🙂
    When you bake, you can replace 1/2 to all of the oil in a recipe with applesauce or canned pumpkin. Doesn’t works so well with cookies, but works great for cake.
    White vinegar cleans everything. Dillute with water for glass. Baking soda in drain then vinegar cleans drains pretty well to. And foams a lot.
    You can add ground flax seed to almost anything.
    That’s all I can think of off the top of my head. I sooooo want that gift card. Need new sports bras. Badly.

  62. An extension of what Marc said: And stop to look at yourself in the mirror and say “I love you. I’m so proud of all the loving things you’re doing for yourself. Thank you!”

    And eat breakfast. Healthy, nourishing, yummy breakfast.

  63. as a first year law student on a tight budget, i am struggling everyday to live a healthy life (what? like it’s hard to turn down free pizza for lunch everyday?). i am all about the multi-tasking – grocery shopping workouts (walking 20 blocks with heavy bags), reading my textbook on the elliptical (yes i am THAT girl) and cooking some meals on sundays that i can grabandgo in less than 5 minutes during weekdays. oh and i always, always take the stairs. scott products would be time/lifesaving… carrying toiletpaper 20 blocks is not exactly a fabulous workout.

  64. hmmmm…how about – don’t spend money on expensive cat toys because they just play with paper bags and your feet anyway….learn to recognize the sounds of a potential hairball – you can shove a paper under their face so they don’t hork on your freshly shampooed carpet (because they ALWAYS wait until you have cleaned your carpet to do this!!!).
    Aren’t you glad I shared???

  66. These are all awesome! The only one that comes to mind right now- I use newspaper to clean windows, but sometimes I don’t have that. So on a whim I tried an (artfully decorated but forgotten) page out of my kids coloring book. Worked like a charm and they were none the wiser.

    Oh! And I am in awe of the power of Moleskin. Why did I live 26 years on this earth before I ever tried it to prevent blisters?

    15 minutes before Dad comes home, have a race to clean up all the toys/books/underwear on the floor…it is fun for the kids and it gives the illusion of having kept a clean house all day. (not that I ever have to do this, I just heard it from a, uh friend…yeah)

  67. Ah you mentioned face paints. We have street parties every summer and a couple of us paint the kidlets’ faces. We use common acrylic craft paints.. the inexpensive kind that comes several colourful mini tubs to the package. The colours are bright (and sometimes glittery) and they wash off very easily.. soap, water and a washcloth will get them squeaky clean in just a few seconds. We’ve never bought actual “face paint” in years.

  68. i brush my teeth at some point in the evening which discourages late-night snacking.
    also black coffee + a packet of hot chocolate (your choice which kind) makes for an awesome mocha in a pinch.

  69. Thanks for the tips – Love the whole turkey and grape nuts that is very funny and the coffee as ice cubs for iced coffee is great as that will come in very handy during that 4 pm energy drop off period in the day!!!

    Old family tip is use Mayo in your hair as a deep conditioner and shine booster – does work!!

    Cheers
    Cathy

  70. Alas i’m canadian and miss out on this one. And i really need workout clothes since i’ve never gone out to buy any! However i do know some awesome American friends who i’d love to give this to 🙂

  71. For those with very young kids (newborn to 2-ish), clip a mesh lingerie laundry bag to your hamper. Throw all those tiny little socks into the bag, zip, and toss it in the wash. No more losing ittybitty socks or going to the restroom at work in the middle of the day and finding you had a baby sock stuck in the leg of your slacks all morning. Not that this happened to me or anything….

  72. Haha…I received these in an email forward message today. You’ll love them….they are ways/tips to keep your sanity in our crazy world.

    1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and Point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

    2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don’t Disguise Your Voice.

    3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, Ask If They Want Fries with that.

    4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label It ‘In.’

    5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.

    6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write ‘ For Sexual Favors’

    7. Finish All Your sentences with ‘In Accordance With The Prophecy’

    8. Don’t use any punctuation

    9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.

    10. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

    11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is ‘To Go..’

    12. Sing Along At The Opera.

    13. Go To A Poetry Recital And Ask Why The Poems Don’t Rhyme?

    14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical Sounds All Day.

    15. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can’t Attend Their Party Because You’re Not In The Mood.

    16. Have Your Co-workers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, Rock Bottom.

    17. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream ‘I Won!, I Won!’

    18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling ‘Run For Your Lives, They’re Loose!!’

    19. (I love this one!!) Tell Your Children Over Dinner. ‘Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.’

  73. Have gum stuck in your hair? Soak it in coke.

    For caked on pots & pans, don’t use dish soap. Spread some dishwasher detergent & let soak for a few hours. Wipes off clean!

    Put eyedrops on a pimple, cuts out the redness just like it would for your eyes.

    Best Hangover Cure: Blue Gatorade/Powerade. None of the other flavors. Don’t ask me why it’s restricted to blue but it WORKS.

    Removing marker/crayon from your kids face? Eye Makeup remover mixed with cold cream. It works (my niece decided to paint her face like a cat with a ballpoint pen. Fun.fun.fun).

  76. Alas I am not a household diva, I have no tips. Please enter me in the contest though!

    Does it say something about the taste of ground turkey breast if it can be replaced by GrapeNuts? Hmm…

  77. If you wash your sneakers or get them wet, tie them together and close the laces in the dryer door. They will get dry and won’t make any noise tumbling around in the dryer. I can’t believe how many years I spent listening to that noise before I figured that out.

  79. Seriously? You don’t understand how bad I hate buying toilet paper and paper towels! Just yesterday I was shopping with my son and when I got to the toilet paper isle, I was like a whiney little child… “ahhh – do I have to? I just feel like I’m wiping my butt with money!” says me. “Um, mom, what’s the alternative?” says wise 8 year old son. Mom grabs enormous box and plops it in cart. humph.

    Anyhoo – my little tip is a natural way to get a glowing, soft and smooth face. In fact, I should blog about this one! I love using raw honey for many, many things, but my favorite thing to do with raw honey is to give myself a facial treatment. Seriously. It’s awesome. At night, I’ll apply a thin layer of raw honey to my face for about 15 minutes while I read a book. I wipe it off gently with a warm wash rag and the next morning my skin is so supple, soft and I hear it even helps get rid of fine lines. And the best part? If it starts to drip, just wipe it with your finger and lick it off! Mmmmmm!

  81. I have been known to sleep in my workout clothes on the weekends. That way I have to workout sometimes the next day because I have them on. So far that has worked.

  83. instead of bread crumbs for a recipe, i use fibre 1 cereal that has been through the food processor. It is packaged in 2 bags in the box..One i process for recipes and one i just eat as cereal:)

  84. See, I have certain of my clothes that I feel I must shed at the end of the day, and I don’t think that my walking around the house in sweats contributes to night-time eating. In fact, I think it helps me be motivated to a.) clean the kitchen after dinner, and b.) not have excuses not to hop on the Gazelle when I have a free moment.

    I’m just sayin’.

    And the coffee as ice cubes? Genius! Because I almost always have some left over – not for want of drinking it, but for time to have that second cup.

  85. Love all these tips. it’s like Hints from Heloise condensed version.

    I’ll share a few old standards:

    To remove mildew odor from anything: place item in a garbage bag with 1/2c of bleach in a jar or cup. Tie tightly and let stay for 2 days-one week. Open carefully, remove bleach (so’s not to spilll), and let item air out for a couple hours.

    To remove pet odor from launderable items (blankets, etc.): wash in hot water using 1/2 C of ammonia.

    Instead of using fabric softener, use 1 C. of white vinegar in the rinse cycle. It will remove any residual soap.

    Perma-press pants lost their crease? Press gently, then dab the crease with white vinegar and press again. The crease will last through atleast 10 launderings.

  86. Save all your veggie odds and ends in a freezer bag all week (celery tops, carrot ends, onion ends and skins, leek tops, all the stuff you might throw away.. just rinse and freeze) and then on the weekend dump it all into a pot with some veggie broth and herbs and black pepper and simmer for 3 hours. Strain and you have a nice veggie broth for recipes… or, if you have frozen your chicken bones or a chicken carcass from dinner with most of the meat gone, throw the bones in with the veggies and after 3 hours you have a lovely homemade chicken stock.

  87. Some helpful tips I’ve figured out myself or read in the past:

    Used bread bags are great for packing running shoes in your suitcase. The long shape is perfect.

    Speaking of feet, if going sockless for the day, rub anti-bacterial gel on your feet. It will keep them from getting sweaty and stinky.

    Dawn liquid detergent works great for getting grease off dishes AND off of your clothing. Let it sit for a few minutes on a grease or oil stain and then run the clothes through the washer. Works like a charm!

    I’ve shared this one before for all fans of Irish oats. Use a wide mouth thermos to make preparation much quicker! Plus, you can just grab and go in the morning. At night, boil 1 cup water, add 1/4 cup oats. Stir and boil for 3 minutes and then pour into thermos and screw on lid. Let sit overnight and in the morning, your oats are ready and warm. Add some protein powder, almond butter, or any other mix-ins, grab spoon and go!

    My favorite smoothie tips…everyone talks about frozen bananas or berries, but for those watching sugar and needing some good fats, try freezing cubes of coconut milk. Makes for a very creamy smoothie. My favorite is (Mizfit, this will probably make you gag) peel, pit, and slice up an avocado. Store in the freezer in Ziplock bag. I add 1/2 avocado to smoothies – lots of good fat and makes for a great milk shake consistency. Yum.

    Baby carrots and almond butter make a great low carb snack and kill the sweet tooth.

    Love peppermint oil. The husband can’t handle perfumes or scented candles, but essential peppermint oil doesn’t seem to bother him. Place a few drops on a light bulb and the heat will diffuse the scent throughout the room. Great natural remedy for headaches! Another useful way to diffuse the scent is add a few drops to a pot of boiling water.

    Ball jars make great smoothie shakers, especially if you’re anti-plastic. I’ve had the worst luck with smoothie shakers. They all seem to leak. Ball jars will not leak with their sealed tops, and they are cheap cheap cheap. You can buy them in bulk at your local grocery or hardware store.

    Always refrigerate homemade cookie dough for at least 2 hours before baking the cookies. This will keep them from flattening out in the oven. Mine always turn out nice and plump. Now, does anyone have a tip for keeping the husband out of the dough dough prior to baking?

  88. I was not aware of that coffee/teeth stain thing. thanks for that! I’ve alsi heard that the faster you drink beer, the less damage is done to your liver but I’m willing to recognize that this isn’t scientifically proven. Good article, Mizfit!

  89. So many good tips. And so many beatmetoits. Including making a comment about how this is better than Heloise.

    Anybody who’s watched the food network knows: place the flat side of a knife blade on your garlic cloves, gently pound with your hand to remove skin easily.

    My latest sore muscle soother: soak in an epsom salt bath. Throw some chamomile tea in there too for a good night’s sleep.

    Workout DVDs on Netflix Watch Instantly. I’m a new fan.

  92. Excellent tips! I especially like tip” D”. So true. i’ve been known to immediately change into my pajama pants after getting home. of course, i also wear scrubs while at work, so i’m kinda screwed !

  95. I read through every single one of these comments! I’m just 5 months into my first apartment after college, so all of these are going to help tremendously!

    And don’t forget… add used coffee grounds to your potted plants. They’re a great fertilizer! (And they make fresh basil grow like crazy!)

  96. Picking up some great tips! I have 2. 1) For cutting onions, I place my cutting board on the stove & turn on a nearby burner. The gas from the onion is burned up by the flames & no tears. 2) I love frozen bananas in my morning smoothie. I freeze them peel & all. Keeps longer in freezer. Just take out what you need & place on counter for about 10-15 min. Cut in half lenghtwise & remove peel.

  97. Wow….I need to seriously print this list off! What great ideas.

    1. Put a dollop (love that word) of peanut butter in the pan when you are baking fish. This prevents that “fishy smell” that hangs around your house for a few days, plus it acts some great flavor. (Who doesn’t like PB?)

    2. Use baking soda to remove buildup in hair and add shine. Might not want to bring your “kitchen” container of BS into the shower with you, though. Might feel *icky* next time you make those chocolate chip cookies.

    3. Put vaseline around your eyes to prevent those fine lines. 😉

  98. When riding the bus, don’t blow your nose on a handkerchief (or anything) and then look at the contents.

    I am a firm believer in never looking at the contents unless I’m sick and believe a dinosaur crawled up my nose and I need to identify which one it was for a science project.

  99. TFH…is that a joke about accidentally using the knife the wrong way? It certainly would remove lots of skin…

    My tips are: when your tub is clogged, pour bleach down the drain, then rince with hot water. It’s cheaper and safer than Liquid Plumber (which has caused a lot of serious injuries when it doesn’t work).

    When you have a sinus headache, drink a glass of water with about one ounce of apple cider vinegar in it. It tastes kind of like pickle juice, but relieves the pressure without any side effects!

    Sprinkle baking soda (lightly scented with essential oil if you do that sort of thing) in the bottom of your trash bin before you put the bag in. It helps with the smell, and when it’s time to clean the trash can, the baking soda adds an extra-powerful boost.

    What a generous giveaway, which I’m sure we all need right now with this economy! I hope I win!

  100. Ok, here’s one for teething babies:

    Give them a frozen whole wheat mini bagel to chew on when teething. Just make sure to take it away once it thaws and starts to crumble.

  101. 1. If you want to win a freebie (which I do), leave a comment even if you can’t think of one (which I am). 🙂
    Maybe this??
    2. On the wonderful subject of coffee, drink some before a weight lifting session and get a more intense workout. (at least that’s what shawn phillips (“Absolution”) says to do) 🙂 So, I do.

  102. I have sort of a random tip that I picked up from a waitress. When you’re at a restaurant/diner, and you can’t get the ketchup out of the glass Heinz bottle, turn the bottle upside down at an angle and hit the “69” embossed in the glass using the heel of your palm. The ketchup will come right out, sometimes rather quickly, so be careful.
    And this may be kind of obvious, but here it is anyway. If you’re trying to save money and tighten your budget, use coupons. We’ve found that if you use coupons at some of the grocery stores that have membership cards (like Kroger), they’ll start mailing coupons to you as well. Also, even if a coupon says “cannot be combined with other offers,” it’s always worth a shot anyway. You never know!

  104. HOLY CRAP, PEOPLE.
    we *are* so very awesome and awesomeLY tip filled up in herre.

    Scott SHOULD thank us as, if they’d wanna continue their tip month through November, they have a gold mine here.

    Move over Martha. Adios Tyra.

    Oprah? Make room on the couch!

    The Bumbling Band is KICKING ASS, TAKING NAMES & taking OVER.

  105. Re: the knife tip, I think what tfh means is to lay the knife on its *side* (which I’ve heard described as the flat of the knife sometimes) on top of the garlic, then pound with the heel of your hand, keeping fingers well out of the way. Standard disclaimers apply. 😉 (Here’s a video on YouTube that illustrates: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LaF_u30TpI)

    My favorite tips are:

    – Make a pliable, small cold pack by freezing fast-food ketchup packets. These are especially handy for active kids.
    – When craving a salty snack, try a couple cups of good quality broth or bouillon. (Bouillon is handy at work.) It’s filling and satisfies the taste buds without a lot of calories.
    – I’m with tfh on the “View Instantly” workout videos on Netflix.
    – To save money on videos, books, and music, use your local library. Many are part of a larger library system and have online catalogs, so you can often look up a title and for a small fee put a “hold” on it so that it will be delivered to the branch of your choice. (Our library charges only 75 cents per title for this service.) A number of library systems have access to great online resources, too.

  107. Before exercising, remember to double knot your shoelaces. No tripping or excuses to stop midway through!

    Another tip for the peppermint oil – it repels mice. Dab some peppermint essential oil on cotton balls and place in your lower cupboard areas, if you are prone to mice.

    Have extra canned pumpkin now that it’s fall? Make a wonderful pumpkin facial for yourself. Just combine 2 teaspoons of canned pumpkin, 1/2 tsp honey and 1/2 tsp of milk into a paste and smooth over your face. Let sit for 5 minutes and rinse with warm water. Pumpkin enzymes are really good for your skin!

  108. Here’s my tip: Buy Halloween candy you don’t like and wait to open the bag until the first trick or treater arrives.

    And Greta, way to go resisting the KKs!

  109. If you have a binge food, don’t say “it’s okay, I will just have a little” because, let’s face it, it wouldn’t be a binge food if that were true. Obviously, I am still working on this.

  110. Suite-mate co-worker just came in bearing a box of Krispy Kremes…and I said NO THANK YOU!!!!!

    Can I get a woo hoo!

    HELL YES YES!!!!

    M.

  111. Even in the summer, put on your “skinny jeans” once a week to do a quick check of where you are at for “tone/size” as many people gain weight during this season because they spend more time outside relaxing than at the gym sweating.

  112. I feel compelled to go with a broccoli comment…

    Don’t like your broccoli? Try mixing it in with other things. I’ve mixed it with spaghetti, mashed potatoes, even in a fruit smoothie (it really doesn’t add a bad taste at all).

    And – whoa – way lots of great stuff here today!! The collective force at work…

  113. probably my biggest healthy-living “trick” is that I schedule my exercise into my workday–generally my job is pretty sedentary, so from 1-2 I am out the door, no matter what (what others call lunch I call gym time). my other suggestion: peanut butter crackers. such a good any time all the time quick snack.

  115. The only “tip” I can think of that hasn’t been mentioned is to scrub the bathtub with dish soap. I discovered this after my lungs were in pain from inhaling the yucky fumes from other tub cleaners, and my hands were raw from the chemicles. I just squirt it around in the tub and then scrub with warm water. It removes the soap scum very easily, and it’s better for your hands, lungs and the environment!

  116. tell your husband you will cry if he doesn’t go get something for dinner.

    Offer your kids $5 to clean their bathroom.

    Keep reminding yourself that a cluttered house simply means you have a life.

    Don’t eat Chia.

  117. WOW! I had no idea about all of these. Methinks I’ll be buying a whole lot more cucumber 🙂

    My only tip I can think of: When a recipe calls for breadcrumbs, try substituting with Rolled oats.

  118. Dear Marianne,
    this is your first notice.
    there is no second notice.
    I will be forced to edit your comment if you make SHOCKING UNTRUE STATEMENTS or SUGGESTIONS like the final 3 words in comment #116.

    Love (& toasted chia seeds which SO DONT get gel-like),

    The Management

  119. oh! I thought of one more. Whenever I make meatloaf I grate zucchini (or other summer squash) and add it to the mix. Extra veggies, extra moisture, and no one notices. (And extra yummy)!

  120. Olive Oil???? No kidding?

    OK this may be obvious but You have to get rid of the old clothes once you have lost enough weight that they no longer fit. Once they are gone you then know you have once more small incentive to keep up all the hard work you have already done.

  121. Oh my I don’t think I could drink my coffee quickly. I enjoy it way to much. And that extra coffee tip is pretty cool. Never thought about that and I waste so much leftover coffee.

    I’m thinking that one about changing clothes is my favorite. 9 times out of 10 I will immediately go put on my PJ’s when I get home. Might have to try that out.

    Now for my tip;
    Take the stairs and park far away from the store (unless of course it’s dark out).

    Thanks!

  122. wow………this is such an exciting GIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am almost more excited about the Scott products.

    Here goes :

    Magic erasers are sooooooo necessary if you have kids……they really are MAGIC….but you can’t erase a pound of pizza from the night before 🙂

    throw a dryer sheet under your car seats for some yummy car deodorizing 🙂

  123. In the theatre/opera world we actually use baby wipes to take of make-up…the cheaper the better (stay away from the huggies organic kind, they don’t work as well)…and not only are they cheaper than the cosmetic face wipes sold in pharmacies, they also work sooo much better!

    Stinky shoes…take of your sweaty smelly things and immediately put dryer sheets inside your shoes…it not only absorbs the moister, but the odor too while leaving a nice clean scent behind. Great for gym lockers…and sweaty gym clothes/bags too!

    Don’t have time to cook a healthy breakfast? One word…caserole…I like to make a goatcheese, asparagus or spinach and mushroom egg cassarole…bake, cut into squares, put in ziplock bags and freeze…they heat up real nice and taste delish! Works best if you take your frozen breakfast out the night before and let it sit in the fridge before you take it to work the next morning.

  124. Thanks pubsgal for the clarification!

    I am still laughing at the image of slamming my hand down on a knife blade. Hey, my mom did once try sifting Crisco, so we’re not that great in the kitchen, but hopefully I’ll never be tired enough to cut myself that way.

  125. A few more tips…these on “cleaning”

    For those with the luxury of a wood burning stove with a glass front or a fire place with a glass front crumple up newspaper and wipe the glass to remove soot…it’s that easy…is that how you spell soot? never had to write that word before…lol

    Marks on the wall and don’t want or have the money to repaint? Spray 409 on the mark and scrub off with a white rag or strong paper towel…I’ve also used ajax powder w/water…it’s saved me many a time when moving apartments and getting my security deposit back.

  126. So obvious, but drink water!

    When in doubt, drink a glass of water before you do anything else. Try drinking a glass of water when you have the munchies – you may just be dehydrated.

    And of course, reach for the water when you’re thirsty; it’s so much better for you than anything else (especially sodas)

  127. If you feel a cold coming on, drink Apple Cider Vinegar! It’s pretty nasty, but it works! It has to be the kind with the “mother” in it. Mix some with water, drink it two or three times a day, and voila! Cold symptoms…gone!

  128. Add fiber powder or ground flax seed to smoothies to increase their thickness and to help keep you fuller for longer! YUM!

  130. Well Miz, since everyone seemed to enjoy my last post so much, I think my “tip” will be to leave a link to the post for everyone else to read.

    I am working on following my own advice! Wish me luck!

    Jenn

  131. I love the cucumber in water because it always brings me happy memories of the spa.

    Grape Nuts instead of turkey meat. Any more details on how to do that replacement? or links to any recipes doing that? Would love to know!

  132. cool tips! The one about the acrylic paint for Halloween- who knew?! I’ve got a ton and have 2 faces needing painting for Halloween.

    (and woo hoo about the KKs, too!)

    My tip is for making your own whole grain oat flour. I just learned that instead of buying it, you can make your own by grinding oats in your coffee grinder.

  133. I love these tips, especially the cucumber in the water and the frozen coffee ice cubes. I freeze 100% orange juice so that I can have something cold and refreshing at the end of the day (it’s hot all year round here) without reaching for the ice cream.

  134. Grape Nuts instead of turkey meat. Any more details on how to do that replacement? or links to any recipes doing that? Would love to know!

    no and EVERYTHING.

    it sounds a smidgetad heinous, I know, but ANYTHING where you use ground white turkey (hello burritos!) you can use the grapenuts in to s-t-r-e-t-c-h the food dollar.

    M.

  135. Wow, these are all GREAT tips!! And I was going to say that even before I saw the contest, so does that count for something? I will ask the random number generator for brownie points.

    This tip might be one that everyone already knows, but I always put bread in the refrigerator because it keeps it fresher longer. And if I know that I’m not going to eat an entire loaf, I will freeze half of it until it’s ready to use.

  136. Serious and not-so-serious tips:

    To keep from crying when cutting onions, wear swim goggles. They look dorky, but they work. Oh, and anyone who sees you doing this will laugh their head off. (Laughing is better than crying.)

    If you need a little motivation for tracking calories/carbs/W.W. points . . . along with writing down what you consume, track what you resist. On a day I was doing this I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies for the kids and didn’t have a snitch, bite or nibble. I resisted over 80 grams of carbs!

    I re-use plastic grocery bags to line my garbages with, but hate how they seem to spread everywhere under my kitchen sink. To solve the problem I now store them in empty Kleenex boxes. They stack nicely too! (I keep a full box of bags by the kitty liter box and under the sink in each bathroom.)

  137. Here’s a tip from my time in the trenches of health care:

    Toothpaste will take the smell of anything off of your hands. ANYTHING.

  139. Re 136. Christie: I have recently begun to see grocery stores as well as target and the like leaving bins outside the entryway of their stores to return plastic bags…recylce them and rid yourself of the massive piling up and then bring your own tote.

    Re: your own totes, Ikea sells massive bags made of a tarp like material that hold a lot and are cheap and can be cleaned easily.

    Re: being unable to resist Halloween candy…Snickers have less calories than some of my other favorites like Reese’s or take 5 and you still get that satisfying chocolate peanutty goodness in 70 calories. 🙂

  140. I always just refrigerate my onions to keep the lachrymator chemicals at bay.
    My favorite new tip is to boil cauliflower with my potatoes, then strain and mash them for mashed potatoes. The calorie count goes way down, and you can’t even tell the difference.


  142. touche, Marianne.

    youve won this match, but Ill live to fight another day!

    rice krispies? the other fatty fish?

    M.

  143. So this is probably the biggest DUH tip but it was life altering for me when I learned it (well maybe not but it was pretty hugs LOL). To get rid of the garlic smell on your hands, run cold water and grip the faucet. Apparently the cold metal will pull the smell from your hands

  144. My fitness tip of the day – schedule your workouts and treat them as importantly as you would an appointment with a friend, a doctor, a lawyer, your kid’s teacher – whatever. Just make sure they take priority because YOU are worth it!

  145. I heard this just today and it sounded like a great idea for people with kids:
    After trick-or-treating, have your kids pick out a couple pieces of their favorite candy and set them aside. Tell them to set the rest out for the “Halloween Fairy” to take and replace with a gift (a non-sugary gift, of course!)

  147. Speaking of Halloween candy…my tip is to buy the candy you really don’t like so that you don’t eat it all before Halloween…other than that, I got nothin’ and feel completely inept as a tip-giver 🙁

    Just kidding. I’ve loved reading all of this.

  148. These are my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE Handy Tips. I got them off Andy’s blog, http://www.bloginyourface.com. He’s funny!

    1. AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU CHOP.

    2. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT BY USING THE SINK.

    3. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS. REMEMBER TO USE A TIMER.

    4. A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL PREVENT YOU FROM ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON.

    5. IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF LAXATIVES. THEN YOU’LL BE AFRAID TO COUGH.

    6. YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE – WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN’T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN’T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.

    7. IF YOU CAN’T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU’VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

    DAILY THOUGHT:

    SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES – NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.

  149. coffee ice cubes ROCKS!

    my tips for healthy living include but are not limited to:
    1) frozen veggies (just as good for you as fresh, but less hassle!)
    2) peanut buttah in my oatmeal, adds protein and warm to my breakfast and i’m fuller longer
    C) adding exotic spices to french fries…curry fries are way yummy and add a touch of class to a meal 😉
    D) adding reduced fat parmesan cheese to my no fat popcorn…tastes like a yummier version of Smart Food popcorn without all that salt and fat and mess on yo’ fingers
    $) Adding sugar free hazelnut coffee mate to sugar free/fat free chocolate pudding and making nutella dessert!!!
    !@) taking left overs and odd items (baked beans, chicken sausage, jalepenos) and making weird stews and concoctions….garbage style

    thats it/ im spent/

  150. Melissa, those tips are awesome.

    And I’ve been racking my brain for a sufficient tip!

    Here’s a little thing that I like: I’ve got a bunch of cheap, wooden clothes pins taped to my wall for holding post cards, pictures, and little notes that friends have given me. It makes me happy. Keeps joyful things in my line of sight at all times 🙂

  152. This might have been mentioned, but…

    – Clothes wrinkled? Use your straightener (we mentioned this last time, I think, but it SO holds true!).

    – I know a lot of us mash up random stuff in bowls and eat it (to the horror of onlookers, I’m sure). If you need to sweeten it/add flavor but don’t want to add calories, try tea. Brew your favorite flavor. Works well w/yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, pudding (sometimes…use common sense), cottage cheese, and any protein-y carb-y combo you can think of. I use the sugar-free jell-o pudding with cottage cheese/yogurt with tea, almond milk, and something crunchy (high-fiber wraps, too!).

    – If you can’t grow plants (read: always end up killing them) but need something to brighten your space, try pincushion plants. They’re purty. And only need marginal sunlight and water.

    I feel substantially less helpful than other peeps. Can I credit my lack of life experience still? Shameful.

  153. love the tips.

    love that amanda gave great tips and felt significantly less helpful for NO REASON.

    love that my new mission du jour is to show mandapants how helpful she really is,

    and.

    scene.

  154. i LOVED these tips!

    Didn’t know the cucumber one; forgot about the coffee ice cube one; found the work clothes one fascinating even though I have no plan to wear restrictive clothing in the evenings.

    Awesome suggestions and a great contest prize!

  155. I have another baking soda tip. I mix it with vinegar until it is a pasty consistency, then I use a toothbrush to rub it over ring around the collar (or cuffs) of the hubby’s white shirts before I was them. It works much better than any stain sprays I’ve tried.

    And that’s about as housewifey as I’m going to get on here (though I suppose I am a housewife).

  156. Woooow. I need that! I seriously hate to pay for paper that gets used in a heartbeat and flushed away.

    Balance: take time to smell the roses. Forgo the housework duties and meet your kids at school for lunch at LEAST once a month. They love it, you need the break, and nothing picks you up more than silly kids.

    I love the coffee ice cube tip!!

  158. I LOVE these! I’m bummed I didn’t have a chance to check in yesterday!

    How about this one: when you buy bacon, bring it home and divvy it up into ziploc bags: 3-4 slices per bag, then freeze them all. That way, you can use a few slices in a big casserole (for LOTS of flavor with remarkably few calories) or defrost just the right amount for you (and whomever else) to have for breakfast the next morning!

    (This is especially great if you’re like me and will INHALE any leftover bacon in the fridge. Ahem.)

  159. Stir canned pumpkin puree into your favorite spicy chili. You can’t taste it and it makes the chili thicker, creamier, and healthier.

  160. Okay – haven’t had time to read all of these yet (am at work…) but I thought I’d share something I learned at a part-time job in University: To clean dust off of a candle (you know, display ones that are so pretty and don’t get burned, just sit out collecting dust?), wipe them off with an old (clean!) knee-high. It is amazing. The easiest way is to stick your hand inside the knee-high, and then just use it like a cloth – only it will pick up all the dust from the candle.

    You won’t want to wear the knee-high again, but you can hang onto it for future cleaning use!

  161. What a prize!

    A recent healthy addition to my eating repertoire is egg whites. (I know! What took me so long?) Last night I cooked up 1 cup of egg whites and sliced in 2 sticks of low-fat mozzarella. Low calorie and very filling! And yummy!

  163. Late entry here, since I just got back from a week-long trip to San Diego.

    I don’t have a dishwasher, and I’m not one of “those” people who washes up after every meal or snack. So, I keep a big plastic flower pot next to the sink filled 2/3 of the way up with water. I plop the cutlery into the pot to soak until such time as I get around to washing them.

  164. Oh, I do wish that these things were really open for us international people. 😀 Oh well, I’ll just enter and hope that if my number is drawn I can feel good about passing it on to another bumbling band member.

    Here’s my tip:

    Since living in China, I’ve discovered that eating yogurt gets rid of garlic breath. (Yeah…there’s a whole lot of garlic going on up in herrrrre.) Also works for onion breath.

  165. Here is my brilliant discovery from a run last spring: Had youngest daughter in the jogging stroller and it looked a little gloomy out. May rain, may not, but I didn’t have one of those nifty waterproof protector thingies that goes over the jogger to keep the kid warm/dry. So I grabbed a waterproof crib sheet (The flat kind, without the elastic corners) and when it did start to sprinkle draped it over the top of the jogger, which kept my then sleeping daughter dry! Poof! And I didn’t have to spend $150 on that fitness accessory!

  166. OOOOh I see lots of the BB believe in vinegar and baking soda as cleaners like I do — I love the fact that they’re all-natural, and yes, they do clean everything, I use the vinegar on the hard water stains on my sink, and here’s another use for baking soda I didn’t see in the comments — got one of those beige glass-top stoves like me? Baking soda works wonders to remove burn marks, even better than the stovetop cleaners themselves!

  167. oh and ps!! Carving pumpkins??? Put some vaseline on the parts you’ve carved into to keep them from turning all brown and yucky so quickly!!

  169. to treat a berry stain ( strawberry, raspberry, etc) pour boiling hot water- from a tea kettle- on the stain- gets it out every time. make sure the fabric can handle hot water!

  170. These are amazing! A lot of bread crumbs ones already, but what I sub-in is raw wheat germ. Super-good for you, and I can’t notice the difference in anything I make – you can even use it for crunchy coasting. Yum!

  171. Okay, I haven’t read all comments yet, so I hope this isn’t just a lame repeat. So much good stuff, I can’t believe it!!

    If you haven’t tried frozen grapes, they are really good, and since they are frozen, you can’t eat them super quick (well, I can’t anyway- sensitive teeth).

    You can make a low-cal lime squeeze with Diet Sprite 7-Up and half a life squeezed into about 8-16 oz. Stir it up and put the squeezed lime in the glass.

    You can make your own mint hot chocolate by putting a peppermint candy or part of a candy cane in the hot chocolate. It “melts” and voila! (Just stir a bit, and eventually it will dissolve).

    Use newspaper to clean mirrors and windows instead of paper towels, to get that streak-free shine every time. And if you’re out of window cleaner, use vinegar. And you can also use vinegar as a rinse for your hair, but I’m not sure what the benefit is.

    And lastly, I made some “apple pie” oatmeal by mixing up my regular oatmeal with cinnamon and some apple pie spice. I cooked it 3/4 of the normal time, then stirred in about 2 heaping tablespoons of low-sugar applesauce, and finished cooking. Perfect for a cold-weather breakfast.

  173. Fireplace and chimney safety should not be taken lightly. Matchless Stove and Chimney offers chimney inspection, maintenance and cleaning services. Ensure that your fireplace and chimney are properly maintained by hiring a professional. Matchless Stove and Chimney is located in the Capital Region of New York.

  174. Mesothelioma cancers are the cancers that spread within the mesothelium tissues. Mesothelium generally is the title of tissue that kinds lining of various body organs equivalent to heart, lungs, stomach and reproductive organs. The liner around belly organs is known as peritoneal membrane. Lining round lungs is called pleural membrane whereas the lining around coronary heart is named pericardium.

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