DEAR HELOISE: An overlooked tool to use in winter snow removal is the garden rake. A few passes will fluff up packed snow, making it easier and safer to shovel.
-- Tom W., Indiana
DEAR READER: Read on for more snow-removal hints:
"I use a child's shovel for clearing snow from decks and small areas."
-- Alice in Connecticut
"I shovel snow to make extra money. I spray the shovel with nonstick vegetable spray; no more pounding the shovel on the walk to get the snow off."
-- Brandon in New York
"I wear kitchen mittens while shoveling snow, and my hands stay warm as toast."
-- Mrs. J.B.
Here's my hint: Shoveling heavy snow expends a lot of energy. Pace yourself, and don't overdo it.
P.S. Slush and yucky black snow buildup in the garage? Scoop a couple shovelfuls of clean snow on top of the slush, let it sit for a minute and push it all out the door with a push broom. Clean garage.
DEAR HELOISE: What's the difference between sea salt and table salt?
-- Helen T., Florida
DEAR READER: Sea salt comes from evaporated seawater (ocean water), and it's left in its natural, coarse shape and color, which can be white, pink, gray, green or even black. Trace amounts of other minerals can be in sea salt.
Table salt comes from underground mines, and it is processed to remove minerals. Iodine may be added to table salt, which aids in thyroid health.
Sea salt and table salt are basically the same nutritionally, though sea salt is sometimes advertised as a healthier alternative.
Regardless of the type of salt you choose, less is more. The Food and Drug Administration (fda.gov) says to limit your salt intake to fewer than 2,300 milligrams per day, and for some people, even less. Check with your doctor.
DEAR HELOISE: My wife and I appreciate it when people leave a cart by the handicap parking spots, especially when the cart returns are not close. We use the cart as a support on the way into the store.
-- F. Gary H., Maine
DEAR READER: By the way, did you know that the term "handicapped" is falling out of favor? The new terminology is "someone with a disability," and the parking spaces are simply called "accessible."
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Heloise@Heloise.com
Weekend on 01/24/2019