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Dear Heloise: After high school, when I was preparing to move into my own apartment, a friend gave me a gift that had me scratching my head — a 9-inch square wooden piece with two long slats attached by eight wooden dowels. I realized much later that it was a trivet. In the meantime, I attached some yarn and put it onto a clip on the back of my closet door. I hung all of my costume jewelry necklaces on this “trivet” and have kept them there for over 50 years! — Trish R., in Lancaster, California
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DON’T MICROWAVE PLASTIC
Dear Heloise: Isn’t nuking peanut butter in a plastic jar unhealthy? You’d be ingesting microplastics. — Joanna D., via email
Joanna, a peanut butter jar was never meant to be heated inside a microwave oven. The heat can release harmful chemicals, such as phthalates or microplastics (things you don’t want in your food). Good catch! — Heloise
ROCK-HARD SPICES
Dear Heloise: In Southern California, it can get humid. All of my jarred spices and seasonings have hardened to the point where I can’t use them. They won’t come out of the jar. I know you’ve said that a grain of rice placed in each jar will prevent this, but it’s too late for this. Please help me save my over 30 jars of spice and seasonings! I’ve read your and your mother’s column since I was a little girl. — Lori S., via email
Lori, this what I do, and it’s always worked out well: Take a table knife and start chipping away and pounding the lumps of spice, either in the spice bottle or in a plastic or wooden bowl. Sometimes I’ve had to use a meat tenderizer (aka a mallet).
If the spice is still rock-hard and won’t break up, you might have to throw it out and get a new bottle. However, if there’s no mold or odd odors to it, then it’s probably OK to keep it and use it. You can use the fine side of a box grater or a microplane rasp grater to break up the lumps.
Next time you’re in the kitchen, pick up a spice jar and give it a vigorous shake, then put it back in its place. Do this to different jars on a rotational basis. This helps keep the spices loose. And don’t forget the rice, but use about five grains instead. — Heloise
SHOP FOR CHRISTMAS EARLY
Dear Heloise: I know that Christmas may seem a long way off to some folks, but the time will fly by. Before you know it, Santa will be on his way! To avoid a mad rush and picked-over items, I started shopping back in August. I’d just be strolling along and see something that I know someone would truly appreciate, and I’d buy it or wait for it to go on sale. In September, I saw a beautiful Italian leather purse on sale and bought it for my daughter. She’ll love it!
I store things in a closet in my spare bedroom with a note that tells me who the item is for. When the holidays are near, I wrap everything, and by Christmas, I’m ready without the last-minute crazy shopping that most of my friends go through.
Just thought I’d tell you how much I enjoy your column. It’s like hearing from an old friend. — Marla G., in Lake Carmel, New York
Marla, thank you for your kind words. This is what I do as well. The “Christmas crush” can get hectic, and just looking for parking can kill anyone’s holiday joy. By the time the holidays arrive, I’m prepared with the gifts wrapped, the tree decorated, and the lights strung on the shrubs and house. This way, I can just sit back and enjoy the eggnog and Christmas cheer! — Heloise