Teen Cuisine

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

I you have to run the water forever until it gets hot, wrap your hot water pipes in an easy-to-apply foam blanket, available at hardware or building supply stores. Not only will you save on the water bill, but your hot water heating costs will be reduced too.

A small amount of oil or butter added to the water when cooking pasta prevents it from boiling over or sticking together.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

To remove rust marks from clothing, squeeze lemon juice on the spots, pat with salt and hang the garment in the sun to dry.

Line freezer baskets with net so that small items do not fall through. A full, tightly packed freezer runs economically.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Key chains sewed into the collars of children's coats and jackets provide strong hangers.

Roll sausages in flour before you fry them. This will prevent them from shrinking and breaking up in the pan. Alternatively, boil them first for eight minutes.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Save plastic containers from cottage cheese, yogurt, margarine etc. and use as containers when freezing food.

Give stainless-steel pans a good shine by rubbing with flour. Remove heat marks with a scouring pad and lemon juice.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Clean sliding door gliders, then run either paraffin wax or a candle over them to facilitate easier, quieter opening and closing.

Pay special attention to sink drain holes and overflows. Clean with a bottle brush, and pour a little bleach down them once a week.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

To remove damp and musty odors in closets, place used coffee grounds in an open container in the closet. This can also be used in the refrigerator to control odors.

Freeze soup stock in ice-cube trays, then store the cubes in a plastic bag in the freezer until needed.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

To dry the insides of children's winter boots or summer rubbers quickly, put the hose of the vacuum cleaner into the boot and turn on the blower.

If peanut butter dries out, adding a spoonful of liquid honey will make the peanut butter moist again. Stir the honey in well.

New 2015 regulations on Trans-fats and partially hydrogenated oils

Updated guidelines no longer recognize Trans-fats and partially hydrogenated oils as safe.

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Pamela Daniels, Michigan State University Extension

 

There are major changes coming to the food industry pertaining to Trans-fats and partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs).
What are Trans-fats and PHOs?
Industrially produced Trans-fat, and/or PHOs are found in many popular processed foods, like baked goods and frozen foods. Many Americans rely on these food items to feed their families. PHOs have been widely used as ingredients since the 1950’s to increase the shelf-life and flavor stability of processed foods.
Recent changes in federal regulations include:

• 2013: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a preliminary determination that PHOs, were no longer “generally recognized as safe,” commonly referred to “GRAS” for short. As of June 2015, the FDA is working to finalize action in determining that PHOs are not GRAS for any use in human food.
• June 2015: FDA gave food manufacturers three years to remove the partially hydrogenated oils or PHOs from their products. The companies can petition the FDA for a special permit to use either, but no PHOs can be added to human food unless otherwise approved by the FDA.

What should you do? Check your pantry! Common household Trans-fats and PHOs include:

• Baked goods. Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of Trans-fat.
• Snacks. Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain Trans-fat. While popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans-fat to help cook or flavor the popcorn.
• Fried food. Foods that require deep frying — French fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain Trans-fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
• Refrigerator dough. Products such as canned biscuits, cinnamon rolls and frozen pizza crusts often contain Trans-fat.
• Creamer and margarine. Non-dairy coffee creamer and stick margarine may contain PHOs.

Tips to consider at the grocery store for making healthy choices:

• Read labels – Trans-fat information is located under the “Total Fat” section on food labels.
• Watch for and avoid products with the words “Partially Hydrogenated Oil,” that means there are Trans-fats in the product.
• Even if the food label says “0” Trans-fats, it could still contain 0.5 grams.
• Start your grocery store routine by first filling your grocery cart with veggies, fruits and whole foods.

For more information on Trans-fats, healthy eating and chronic disease visit the Michigan State University Extension website.

Photo source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://bit.ly/MSUENews. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

To prevent chairs scratching the floors, put self-stick bunion pads on the bottom of the chair legs.

Grate leftover citrus peel, add a little sugar, and store this homemade peel in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

To save energy, do not preheat the oven before cooking casseroles or meat dishes.

For mud on carpets, let it dry (this usually takes one or two hours), then vacuum up the deposit. If necessary, use a stiff brush to loosen the dried mud first.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Stick masking tape around the rim of the paint can to prevent paint from getting into it. The lid will still fit securely when closed.

Save tangerine peels and dry by laying peels loosely on a cookie sheet with the insides facing up. When dry, buzz the dried pieces in a blender and use in recipes calling for orange peel.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Before you wear a new garment (or even on old ones) touch the center of each button, front and back, with clear nail polish. This will seal the threads and the buttons will stay on much longer.

Freeze leftover coffee in ice-cube trays and add cubes to iced or too-hot coffee.