Heloise

Dear Readers: Carrots are one of my favorite vegetables, and you can do so much with them. Carrots have a sweet, nutty flavor, and they are also a great source of antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A and potassium. Research shows that a daily consumption of carrots or carrot juice helps lower cholesterol, improves vision, and boosts the immune system. — Heloise

KEEPING COFFEE HOT

Dear Heloise: I hate cold coffee, so when a pot is brewing, I place my coffee mug that is filled with water in the microwave and heat it for 1 minute, then pour the water out. It helps to keep the coffee warm for a little longer when it’s poured into a mug that’s already heated. — Jenny, in Texas

VEGGIE HINT

Dear Heloise: Just a brief hint: If you keep veggies in a plastic bag, be sure to puncture the bag with tiny holes first before placing it in the refrigerator. Otherwise, the vegetables will get soggy from the moisture. — Jennifer M., in Gulfport, Mississippi

CUBIST

Dear Heloise: I freeze coffee and soft drinks in my ice cube trays; this way, my drinks never get watered down. — Ann V.P., in Lubbock, Texas

TIP TAKER?

Dear Heloise: My husband and I paid for our meal at a restaurant with a gift card. The waiter then told us that the card only had a penny remaining on it! We believed the waiter took a nice tip with the balance that was on the card.

Advise your readers to know the balance on their card before they use it. You can call the customer service number on the back. We learned too late. — A Reader, via email

BY ANY OTHER NAME …

Dear Heloise: I heard a story on the news about a homeless person; the reporter referred to the man as a “transient.” Is there a better term? — Fred W., in New York

Fred, how about “a person experiencing homelessness” or “someone who is addressless”? We want to focus on the person instead of just giving them a label. — Heloise

ALL HAIL A SALE

Dear Heloise: Now is a good time to look for sales in the brick-and-mortar stores, but did you know that stores keep the sales racks in the back of the store? There’s a reason for this: You must walk past the brand-new merchandise that is all pretty and fresh to get to the discount bin, which is usually picked over.

If you’re not shopping for current, in-season clothes and styles, parade past the new stuff and go find a bargain. — Ellie R., in Pennsylvania

BANDAGE DEBACLE

Dear Heloise: My kids often get scrapes and scratches when they’re outside while playing, so I usually clean the area and cover it with an adhesive bandage. The problem comes when I remove the bandage. To make it easier on all of us, I wait until bath time, and the water soaks the bandage off without any fuss. — Glenda D., in Carlsbad, New Mexico

PET PAL

Dear Heloise: Here’s Pepper, a 4-month-old Maine Coon mix. — Nancy Liddane, via email

Readers, to see Pepper and our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”

Do you have a furry friend to share with our readers? Send a photo and a brief description to Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.