DEAR READERS: Here is this week's Sound Off, about frozen vegetables:
"My Sound Off is when frozen vegetable blends or mixes are not cut in uniform sizes. There will be some cut into pieces of less than half an inch, while others in the same bag will be as big as golf balls. It is very hard to cook the big pieces of veggies without overcooking the small pieces."
-- Grace W., via email
Grace, I hear you. I love bags of mixed veggies, and always have some in the freezer. Yep, the small pieces cook faster than the big chunks. Generally, the more expensive the bag, the better cuts of vegetables. The big store-brand bags are really bits and pieces. You could start cooking the big pieces, than add the small.
P.S.: Sometimes, I let the bag thaw in the refrigerator and nibble on the veggies as is -- just like steamed, without the hassles. Tasty on a salad, dipped in low-fat blue-cheese dressing or sprinkled with balsamic vinegar.
DEAR READERS: Other items to use as bird feeders:
• An empty milk carton.
• Large, plastic soda bottle.
• An unused cupcake stand.
• Cans hung sideways.
• An old plate, or a teacup and saucer.
DEAR HELOISE: My teenage son recently got a new karate uniform. The problem is that the jacket (or gi) has been starched by the manufacturer. I have tried everything to soften it. I soaked it overnight in vinegar, in hot wash cycles, and used bottles of liquid softener and fabric sheets. And still this jacket could stand up on its own. Any advice would be appreciated.
-- Kelley K.,
Leon Springs, Texas
DEAR READER: Kelley, it may or may not be "starch." It could just be the material and fiber blend. Let's review, for you and my other readers who may have a similar problem:
Read the care label. Some say no hot water, use cool. Most say do not put in dryer on high heat. No chlorine bleach. No fabric softener, liquid or sheets -- it only coats the material more.
Try this: Soak the jacket in plain cool water. Run the washer with no detergent. Soak overnight, then run it through the longest wash cycle possible. This will give the sizing/starch more time to break down. Do this two or three times. No other clothing with it.
All say no dryer, so try to hang it to dry, or use the lowest heat setting for a longer time.
Depending on the gi, it may have padded areas for protection. You don't want those spots soft. Ask the instructor for a recommendation.
DEAR HELOISE: I hate tags sticking out of my clothes. I use a small notebook and write down the garment and care instructions. That way, I can take out the tags. Sometimes I just tape the tag to the page.
-- Nan P. in New Hampshire
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Heloise@Heloise.com
ActiveStyle on 10/05/2015