Dear Heloise: Please tell your readers to be very careful about clicking “unsubscribe” in emails. We’ve all heard not to click anywhere inside an unsolicited email, and this includes the “unsubscribe” link. You should only click on a link if you’re sure that the email is from a legitimate source. You’re better off managing unwanted emails through the use of filters and rules in your email program. It takes a little longer to set up a rule, but you’re not exposing your device to malware. — Mary D., in Tucson, Arizona

DISPOSE OF MEDICINES PROPERLY

Dear Heloise: In the last month, I’ve read letters in your column where two different people recommended disposing of old medicine in unsafe ways. These two ways are terrible for our environment: putting medicine that was ground up with coffee or dishwashing soap, then disposing of it.

If medicine is disposed down the drain with dish soap, it can get into our water supplies and be harmful to all living things. And the same with grinding it up with coffee and disposing it this way, which can get in our landfill and leach into the soil.

Our city has a disposal bin in front of the pharmacy and our grocery store. The nearby hospital has a medical clear-out event every season. Please advise your readers to check with their city to see the best ways to dispose of their old medications. I enjoy reading your column in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. — Lyn S., via email

DELETE, DELETE, DELETE

Dear Heloise: This is for Steve W., in California, who dislikes unsubscribing to junk emails. You don’t have to unsubscribe to them; just delete them! After a while, you won’t get them anymore. Been there, done that. — Mary Ovist, via email

VEGAN VARIETY

Dear Heloise: I read your column each day in the Journal in Martinsburg, West Virginia. My little Maltipeke particularly enjoys your pet pal stories! I have a hint about providing vegan foods at a party: Using a slow cooker, make large quantities of vegan main dishes in advance and freeze them. Then it’s simple to warm them up and serve them along with your regular meals.

Add a salad and fruit for dessert, and there you are! Tofu is good to have on hand, as well as various beans, nuts, vegetable broth, mushrooms, and fresh, frozen or canned veggies. You might ask your vegan guests for a list of foods they like. — A., in Shepherdstown, West Virginia

— — —

Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.