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Dear Heloise: There are downsizing services available if you’re willing and able to pay. You can find them online. They help with decisions regarding what to donate and what to keep. The one I used even took a carload of things to Goodwill. — Dena G., via email
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Heloise@Heloise.com
LARD CORRECTION
Dear Readers: A letter recently ran where a reader mentioned that ingesting lard was dangerous, and a doctor wrote in to let us know that lard itself isn’t inherently dangerous. However, because it’s high in satured fat, it’s best when used in moderation. The excessive consumption of lard, especially alongside elevated cholesterol levels and exisiting heart disease, isn’t recommended.
We’d like to thank the doctor for writing in and being an avid reader of “Hints From Heloise.” As always, readers, make sure that you’re following medical advice from your doctors, as they know you personally and can provide you with the most optimal health care. — Heloise
CLEANING A PET’S EARS
Dear Heloise: I took in a sweet little kitten whom I just love! She’s such a darling. Unfortunately, there’s some black matter in her ears. I’ve tried to clean it out with a cotton swab, but the next day, it’s still there. I don’t know what to do. Do you have a hint on how to get rid of this “gunk” in her ears? — Edna M., in Green Bay, Wisconsin
Edna, the black “gunk” is probably due to ear mites. Take your cat to a vet and have them look at her. The vet can prescribe medication to put in her ears, and they’ll usually do a cleaning if you ask them to. However, don’t wait too long to see a vet because this is very unpleasant for a cat and can get worse if it’s left untreated. — Heloise
“BEST BY” FRUSTRATION
Dear Heloise: There are two things about the “use by” and “best by” expiration dates on packages that I find to be very annoying. The first thing is the search that’s required to find this information. Why can’t there be some standards as to where the information is shown on the package/container?
The second thing is the challenge to read the information once you’ve found it. Why can’t there also be standards that require the use of contrasting colors so the information stands out from the package’s background color? (Black would probably best in most situations.) — Jim R.,in Waterbury Connecticut
Jim, you make two fair points. I suggest writing to manufacturers that have this type of packaging and explaining your concerns to them. Most companies are eager to hear from customers when they find fault with their products. Ideally, it helps them to serve their customers better so that they don’t go to another vendor. — Heloise
TRASHING GREASE
Dear Heloise: When I fry something, I like to drain the grease in a used takeout coffee cup. I add some water to the pan that I cooked with, heat it up to loosen any stuck-on bits, and use a spatula to scrape and drain the grease into the coffee cup. Then I wipe the pan off with a paper towel. No grease goes down the drain.
I store the cup in the freezer until it’s full and throw it in the trash on trash day. I read your column in the Rutland Herald. — Mem S., in Rutland, Vermont