Category: Guest Columnists

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Tips for Organizing Your Fridge

      By Reena Nerbas Laminate Floor Cleaner Dear Reena, Some time ago, I used your solution for laminate flooring. It did a wonderful job but I have misplaced the instructions. Hope to hear from you. Leslie Dear Leslie, My favorite laminate floor cleaner recipe is super because it requires no rinsing. In order to prevent…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Perfect Rice

      By Reena Nerbas Foiled! Dear Reena, How do you remove foil that is stuck to an oven bottom? Priti Dear Priti, While the following isn’t an instant solution; it is effective at removing foil without damaging the porcelain finish of your oven. In a cool oven, lay a hot, wet rag on the oven…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Don’t throw chocolate away!

    By: Reena Nerbas Discoloured Chocolate Buds Dear Reena, I made a birthday cake for my daughter. I bought chocolate buds to decorate the top of the cake and when I opened the box, I was disappointed because the chocolate looks grey instead of brown. How can I make the chocolate look good? Are they safe…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Homemade Room Freshner

      By Reena Nerbas Frayed Shoe Laces Dear Reena, I brought my son’s soccer cleats out of storage and noticed that the shoelaces are frayed. I can’t feed the laces through the holes, and I don’t have time to search for new laces. Any quick fix ideas? Maddy Dear Maddy, There are a couple of…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Secrets of the Grocery Store

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Secrets of the Grocery Store

      By Reena Nerbas Grocery Store Secrets That You Need To Know 1. Fresh fruits and colourful veggies are placed at the front of the store. Studies show that when consumers fill their carts with healthy goodness, they feel less guilty about purchasing pre-packaged, less healthy food. 2. Fresh vegetables are sprayed with water to…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Serving Fruit

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Serving Fruit

      By Reena Nerbas Cleaning Glue off Cement Hi Reena, When I bought my house, there was a large green mat glued to the concrete porch. The mat recently ripped and had to be torn off, as it became a hazard. Now hard glue (maybe cement glue) remains. How can I get this off so the cement…

  • Choosing Your Financial Advisor

      Choosing a financial advisor is as important as choosing investments.  With either, taking time to make the right decision can have a big impact on portfolio performance over the long term.  There is much to consider. Seek a professional who fits your financial goals.  Many advisors are specialists and, just as you wouldn’t use…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Spring Cleaning

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Spring Cleaning

    By Reena Nerbas Chemical Sensitivity Dear Reena, I have a disorder called ‘Chemical Sensitivity’, which is sensitivity to a huge array of products. So I buy a lot of less toxic products such as; vinegar and baking soda but I tend to react to those as well. I would like to remove the spots on…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Dealing with Silverfish

    By Reena Nerbas Bitter Cukes Dear Reena, As gardening season arrives, I am thinking about planting cucumbers. The problem is that garden cucumbers always taste bitter. Do you have any solutions to get rid of the bitter flavor? Thanks, Pearl Dear Pearl, This old trick works on bitter garden and store bought cucumbers. Cut the…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Food Group

      By Reena Nerbas Caring for a Glass Table Hello Reena, I was brave and ordered a glass kitchen table. It will be delivered soon; I am now having second thoughts. Do you have any advice on how to take care of a glass table? We will be using it as our everyday table, not…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Food Week

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Food Week

      By Reena Nerbas FOOD WEEK Be a Chef without Chef School, with the help of these easy tips! ·        To prevent eyes from tearing while cutting onions; run the tap water beside where you are standing. Or fill your mouth with water while chopping. Or hold an unlit wooden matchstick between your teeth while…

  • Taking Advantage of Dividend Reinvestment Plans

      By Kim Inglis Wise investors have dividend-paying investments in their portfolios and, if they don’t require the income, are even wiser to consider dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs). Instead of delivering cash payouts, DRIPs reinvest the money to purchase additional shares. There are many advantages. To begin, DRIPs are a cost effective long-range approach to…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Removing Dog Hair from Clothes

      By Reena Nerbas Stretching Shoe Dear Reena, I purchased a new pair of shoes and when I returned home, I noticed that one shoe fits looser than the other. Is there any way to stretch the tight shoe so that it fits comfortably? Thanks, Randy Dear Randy, Put the nozzle of a hair dryer…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Storing Potatoes

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Storing Potatoes

      By Reena Nerbas Cleaning Mirrors Dear Reena, Can you give me some good advice for cleaning the mirrors in my home? Thanks, Vanessa Dear Vanessa, Into a spray bottle: Combine 1 tsp. dish soap, one quarter cup rubbing alcohol and 2 cups white vinegar. Spray and wipe. Another option is to clean mirrors with…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Should the Good China go in the Dishwasher?

      By Reena Nerbas Is China Dishwasher Safe? Hi there Reena, We have rediscovered a relative’s chinaware from the 50’s. The style is quite amazing for that period of time. However there is no mention as to whether or not it is dishwasher safe. I’m thinking it isn’t just because of its age and the…