DEAR READERS: Browsing through the produce department at the grocery store, you may notice prepackaged, prepared fruits and vegetables: pre-sliced apples, strawberries, carrot chips, radishes, pineapple and shredded lettuce, for example.
The convenience factor is a plus, but the Food and Drug Administration (fda.gov) agrees that these prepared fruits and vegetables may not be the healthiest selection you can make. Why?
When a fruit or vegetable is cut during the production process, pathogens (bacteria, fungus and even parasites) can sneak under the flesh, and then the moist environment of the plastic packaging can be the perfect breeding ground for these pathogens to thrive. And no heat is used to kill bacteria.
Your best bet may be to grab a whole piece of fruit, or a whole vegetable. This'll be easier on your pocketbook, too.
DEAR HELOISE: When traveling, I store my jewelry in a hard-shell eyeglass case. It's small and noncrushable.
-- Helen M., via email
DEAR HELOISE: You ran an article recently about the differences between granite and marble. You are correct that granite is harder than marble, but you didn't say what not to use to clean them.
Please remind your readers never to use vinegar or any acidic product to clean marble. My housekeeper ruined our bathroom marble vanity tops with a vinegar solution that left etched water stains. I had to call a specialist to buff them out, at a cost of $500.
-- Florence L., via email
DEAR READER: Although vinegar should not be used on marble, it's very handy in the kitchen for cleaning and cooking.
DEAR HELOISE: I download audio books from the state of Kansas library for free. I'm sure most states have such services.
I like to listen to a series in order, and I usually find the series list on the authors' websites. However, remembering the order when going through the library website on my phone is a challenge.
I take a picture of the list on my phone, rather than having to go back and forth to an author's site.
I also took photos of my driver's license and car insurance in case I need them and I don't have my wallet.
-- Susan S., Kansas
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
Weekend on 05/10/2018