Oct 26, 2015 3 min read

Dear Readers: Here is this week’s SOUND OFF, about package amounts:

“My Sound Off is about food packaging. Companies are decreasing volume rather than raising prices. I would rather pay a few cents more than try to figure out quantities for my favorite recipes or have almost a whole package of unused ingredients.” — C.S., Gastonia, N.C.

Dear C.S.: Not much new about this complaint. Companies have been doing this for decades, and sometimes the consumer does not realize because the can or package looks the same size but has less content. See if neighbors or friends might want the “excess” ingredients. — Heloise

FAST FACTS

Dear Readers: Other uses for empty, cleaned nut cans:

* Wrap in decorative paper and use for cookies.

* As a small container for lunches.

* Keep screws or nails in one.

* Shell your own nuts and use to store.

* Cut a slit in the lid for a piggy bank.

— Heloise

A “BUTTON” OF GARLIC?

Dear Heloise: I enjoyed reading the interesting and historical article about Heloise in a recent San Antonio Express-News.

I have heard of the garlic bulb and the garlic clove, but please explain what a “button” of garlic is? Does that mean the entire garlic bulb is used? Thank you for all your helpful suggestions. — Maria in San Antonio

Maria, thanks for the mention of the special story that ran in our newspaper here in San Antonio. Readers, if you would like to take a look, visit my website, www.Helosie.com, and it’s on the home page. It’s about my mother, the original Heloise, and the story of me taking over upon her death. It’s been 38 years! Thanks for staying with this column; I appreciate each of you and your input.

About the garlic button: You may be thinking of my mother’s HELOISE TERIYAKI SAUCE recipe, which she got when we lived in Hawaii. Her original recipe calls for 1 “button” of garlic, which is simply a clove, NOT the whole head or bulb! Did you miss the recipe and want a copy? It’s in my pamphlet, along with many other family sauce and seasoning recipes. Go to my website, www.Heloise.com, or send $3 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (70 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Seasonings, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Have a recipe that calls for a tablespoon of wine but don’t have any? Use apple juice in a pinch, depending on the recipe. Most recipes won’t suffer by omitting just 1 tablespoon of wine anyway. — Heloise

SHOULDER-PAD HINT

Dear Heloise: I read you every day in The (Monroe, La.) News-Star. I would like to add a shoulder-pad use. If you break your arm and the sling you use is rough on your elbow, use a shoulder pad to cushion it. I used a shoulder pad, and it worked wonderfully well. — Bobbye C., via email

Smart: recycling, reusing and prevents pain! Also, fold one over, pin and use for a pincushion. — Heloise