Pack pouch for travel
Dear Heloise: When traveling, take a small hanging POUCH with several zipper compartments for toiletries and makeup to hang in the bathroom. Also, take a large hanging pouch with four compartments for underwear, socks, shirts or anything you use on a regular basis to hang in the closet. No need to use drawers, and it packs easily in the suitcase. — Sharyn F., Rockville, Md.
Learning how to pack to save space and weight is important. Thanks for the hint! — Heloise
SEND A GREAT HINT TO:
Heloise
P.O. Box 795000
San Antonio, TX 78279-5000
Fax: 1-210-HELOISE
Email: Heloise@Heloise.com
SNOW-GLOBE SECURITY
Dear Heloise: I came up with a helpful hint while packing for a move. I have a collection of snow globes. Not only are they glass and fragile, but if they break, they can leak and ruin other things that they are packed with. Here is my solution: I wrapped the snow globes in paper and then placed them each in a large-size, zippered plastic bag. (You could double-bag, if you like.) If something were to happen during the move and one broke, the bag would collect any water, and I wouldn’t have to worry about it ruining anything else. — C.M. in Texas
CHANGING SIZES
Dear Heloise: Even though our grandchildren live overseas, I like to sew and buy clothes for them. This is what works for me: Whenever I am with them, I take a large piece of paper, lay them down on it and trace them head to toe. Not only is it fun for the kids, but it is a way to keep up with their continually changing sizes. — Corrine B., Universal City, Texas
GMO CONCERN
Dear Heloise: Thanks for the recent information on what “organic” means. I have a question: Do cows and other livestock have to be fed organic diets? I am concerned about all the GMO (genetically modified organism) corn. I want to be sure I am not eating meat from animals fed GMO diets. — Alison C., via email
Good question, Alison! According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in order for livestock to meet organic standards, they are “fed 100 percent certified organic feed, except for trace minerals and vitamins used to meet the animal’s nutritional requirements.”
To learn more about the USDA’s organic standards, go to its website, www.usda.gov, and search for “organic standards.” Hope this helps clear things up! — Heloise
STORM SAVER
Dear Heloise: With recent storms in our area, our power went off. Inevitably, the flashlight batteries were dead. I grabbed one of my solar-powered garden stake lights and brought it indoors. Later, I even bought a few extra to give to my neighbors. — A Reader in Nebraska
FOAMING SOAP
Dear Heloise: Here is a money-saving hint if you reuse your foaming-soap dispenser: Rather than buy a refill pouch of foaming soap, buy the gel-soap refill instead. Refill the dispenser with 1 part gel soap to 4 parts water. It foams well, and the refill pouch will last much longer. — Michelle in Ojai, Calif.