Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have two hints. The first is that I’ve had rotator-cuff issues and find it easier to use a hand mixer or stir thick foods if the bowl is in the sink. The lower angle puts less stress on my shoulders. It also keeps the countertop cleaner and avoids splatters.

My second hint is that a box of inexpensive latex gloves has multiple uses when you want to keep your hands clean but don’t want to wear heavy rubber gloves. I use them when deboning chicken and mixing things by hand like meatloaf, cookie batter, pimento cheese, etc. Just toss them in the trash after a single messy use. — C.E., in Los Angeles

C.E., I know I’m going to get backlash from some of my readers about the latex gloves going into the trash after only one use. However, consider this: Mixing food with a pair of latex gloves is cleaner than using your hands. You don’t spread any bacteria from your hands onto the food.

I know some readers will say, “Just wash your hands before and after the mixing the food.” But too many of us forget to wash our hands this often. — Heloise

THE IMPORTANCE OF HANDWASHING

Dear Heloise: I’ve worked in research at the Centers for Disease Control in the past, and if there is one thing that was extremely important, it was handwashing. Unfortunately, many Americans forget to wash their hands after using the bathroom or touching their faces or hair.

During this century and the previous one, we reduced the spread of diseases simply by understanding and practicing proper hygiene. When you wash your hands, use soap. The surfactants in soap do a much better job of removing dirt and germs from the skin than just plain water.

We know that globally, only about 19% of people around the world wash their hands after using the bathroom. You should wet your hands first, turn off the water, apply soap, and scrub all parts of your hands, including the back of your hands and between your fingers. Don’t forget your nails either. Scrub for a minimum of 20 seconds, then rinse well. Let’s all stay healthy! — A Reader, via email

WRITING TO CONGRESS

Dear Heloise: There was a recent letter in your column about “dumbing down education.” You suggested that we contact our representatives in Congress, so I did. I copied and pasted the letter and your reply, and I sent it.

I regularly send letters to representatives in Nebraska and also letters to editors. But you made it easier as I didn’t have to think about what I wanted to say. — Linda H., in Lincoln, Nebraska

CHARITY WATCHDOGS

Dear Heloise: It is wise to use a rating service to determine how much of one’s donation to a charity is being used for the intended purpose. But it is important to know that not all rating services accurately evaluate a charity’s performance. Many only look at a nonprofit’s self-reported 990 tax forms and other data. Some of this information can be misleading.

For example, many nonprofits classify promotional mailings as program or educational expenses. It is important to choose a rating service that performs independent audits, which would reveal the actual extent of such discrepancies and also if there are excessive reserves. — Patti T., in St. Louis

Patti, there are several watchdog organizations that look for efficiency, accountability and transparency. They publish their findings online for anyone to see. You can always look at Charity Navigator, CharityWatch, or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. AARP also keeps an eye on charities.

After doing my own investigating, I cut off some charities, started donating to new charities, and don’t take requests for money by phone. These habits have served me well. — Heloise