Category: *Feature

Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Vinegar’s Cleaning Power

By Reena Nerbas Repairing Damage to Hardwood Floors Dear Reena, We have hardwood floors on the main level of our condo; they are approximately 19 years old. Is there any way to fix the pit holes and gauges in the floor? Thanks for your help, Lorne Dear Lorne, The following are three options ranked in…

April 21, 2017
Faith Forum ~ Who Doesn’t Want Peace?

Everyone wants ‘world peace.’ Governments, world leaders, armies and heroes have all tried to attain world peace but inevitably – war and violence constantly are a part of our world at any given time. Sometimes the peace we seek is on a more local level, such as within a political party, town or rural…

April 16, 2017
Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Those Rodents!

By Reena Nerbas How the Cornbread Crumbles Dear Reena, I made cornbread and it was very crumbly. What did I do wrong I used one egg should I use two next time? Carolyn Dear Carolyn, Here are a few hints for making delicious cornbread: Use buttermilk instead of milk and/or water. While you do not…

April 14, 2017
Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Apples

By Reena Nerbas Cleaning the Ceiling Fan Dear Reena, It is time to clean our kitchen ceiling fan and previously you had mentioned putting some oil on it to prevent attracting dust, could you please remind us what type of oil you recommended for this? Thanks. Joan Dear Joan, For regular ceiling fan cleaning jobs,…

April 7, 2017
Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Rice

By Reena Nerbas There are many stories about how and where rice came from. Most believe the roots of rice come from 3000 BC India, where natives discovered the plant growing in the wild and began to experiment with it. Rice is great for cooking and so much more… Make your own homemade glue using…

March 31, 2017
Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Lingering Fish Odours

By Reena Nerbas Restoring Lustre to Baking Pans Dear Reena, Years of use have left my aluminum baking pans (even top quality ones) unsightly and horrible. Can anything restore them? Thank-you, Margaret Dear Margaret, Here is a very easy solution to clean unsightly aluminum baking sheets. Sprinkle a generous amount of good ‘ol fashioned baking…

March 24, 2017
Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Liven Up Old Kitchen

By Reena Nerbas Bloodstain Dear Reena, Do you have any suggestions on how to remove blood spots from a pillowcase? Thank-you, Paul Hi Paul, Scrub the stains with Head & Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo, rinse with water until stains are gone. Keeping Garden Herbs Fresh Dear Reena, How can I keep my garden grown herbs fresh?…

March 17, 2017
Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Croissants, Buns and Bread

By Reena Nerbas Prepping Shells for Stain Dear Reena, I would like to know how to clean a shell and how to apply stain on it? Can you please share your ideas with me? Thank-you, Jamal Dear Jamal, Place the shell into room temperature 50/50 bleach/water inside of a pot (or use plain water). Boil…

March 10, 2017
Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Save on Produce

By Reena Nerbas Scorched Carpet Dear Reena, My ironing board broke and so I started ironing my clothes on the carpet. It wasn’t ideal but things were going well until I noticed that I scorched the top of my carpet. Help! Is my carpet ruined? I tried to wash it, but that did not help.…

February 17, 2017
Faith Forum: Rock Solid

By Gloria Wessner It seems like nothing is for sure these days. Promises are broken, contracts are not fulfilled, families are torn apart by indiscretion, violence, war and bad choices; jobs end due to circumstances beyond our control, illness and terminal illness robs us of loved ones, and those we thought we could depend upon…

February 12, 2017
Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Homemade Croutons

By Reena Nerbas Dull Stainless Steel Pots Dear Reena, I can’t seem to bring that shine back to my stainless steel pots. Even though I scrub them, the bottom has a cover on it that only seems clean when wet not dry. Bonnie Hi Bonnie, Here are a few tricks to brighten a stainless steel…

February 10, 2017
Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Yummy Teriyaki Sauce

By Reena Nerbas Toilet Bowl Stains Hi Reena, I have a brown stain in my toilet bowl and I’ve tried all kinds of different solutions and even a pumice stone; I drained the toilet as best as I could and poured bleach in it. I actually bought a new toilet but I still have a…

February 3, 2017
Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Swimsuit Mildew Smell

By Reena Nerbas Mildew Smell on Swimsuit Dear Reena, I read your column on a regular basis and love your solutions. Now I need some help, I packed a wet bathing suit coming home from a Hawaiian vacation a couple of winters ago, and even though I unpacked it and washed it right away, it has…

February 3, 2017
Solutions & Substitutions By Reena: Removing Iron-On Clothing Labels

By Reena Nerbas Used Razor Dear Reena, I shave my legs three times a week with a pull type razor. How long should I use it before tossing it into the garbage? Jessica Dear Jessica, If you ask ten different people, you will receive ten different answers. Some people recommend that disposable razors are fine…

January 27, 2017
Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Laundry Detergent

By Reena Nerbas Sparkling Stainless Steel Dear Reena, How can I brighten stainless steel cutlery to bring back the sparkle? Thanks, Sharon Dear Sharon, In commercial settings; it is very common to toss cutlery into a sink of plain old white vinegar, let soak and polish with a cloth. Or cut a potato in half…

January 20, 2017