Category: Guest Columnists

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Sharpen Scissors at Home

      By Reena Nerbas Moths and Cashmere Dear Reena, I was given a beautiful cashmere sweater for Christmas, and I am wondering if you have any tips to ensure that moths don’t get at it? I had another cashmere sweater that now has a hole in it, and I was devastated. I do not want…

  • Examining a Common Tax Planning Investment

      By Kim Inglis As Canadian investors contemplate tax season, they think about efficiency.  Do I pay too much in taxes?  How can I minimize them?  One answer comes in the form of flow-through shares, which provide a legitimate tax-assisted investment vehicle to save or defer taxes. Flow-through shares are a financing mechanism that has…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Lettuce

      By Reena Nerbas Tear or Cut Lettuce Dear Reena, My mother always told me that lettuce should be hand torn and never cut with a knife. Is this true or is it a myth? Thanks, Aimee Dear Aimee, Many cooks believe that lettuce that touches metal will react and prematurely turn lettuce brown. While…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: From Dust to Decking

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: From Dust to Decking

      By Reena Nerbas Dealing With Dust Dear Reena, We moved into a new home 8 years ago which has a heat pump. I am not sure if the pump causes constant dust, but it is driving me crazy! It doesn’t seem to matter how many times I dust, or what I use, because as…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Hazy Film on Car Windows

      By Reena Nerbas Homemade Teak Oil Dear Reena, What are the ingredients of ‘homemade’ teak oil?  I need to make a new supply for my teak furniture. Ruth Dear Ruth, Teak is beautiful and durable and requires very little care. In fact many experts recommend nothing other than a damp cloth for regular dusting, and…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

      By Reena Nerbas Dead Mouse Smell Dear Reena, How can I get rid of the gross stink of dead mice in a vehicle? A mechanic was asked to locate any nests or dead mice and he said he couldn’t find any. I’ve tried baking soda and charcoal briquettes. Sarah Hi Sarah, Are you sure…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Homemade Fabric Softner

      By Reena Nerbas Hazy Car Windows Dear Reena, There is a hazy film that covers the windows of my car. I have washed them with window cleaners but the film always comes back. What can I use to end this? Jeannine Dear Jeannine, Many car experts use rubbing alcohol to shine car windows. However,…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Using up Candy Canes

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Using up Candy Canes

    By Reena Nerbas Removing wax from fabric Dear Reena, One of my daughter’s winter gloves has melted wax on it. It is made with nylon fabric and has faux fur trim on the edge. I don’t want to wash it in the machine. How can I remove the wax? Celeste Dear Celeste, Soak the glove…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Deep Fried Turkey

      By Reena Nerbas Faded Granite Sink Dear Reena, We have a seven year old Sil Granite sink. Its color has really faded. Before it was a very matt black now it is a very faded black with white smears streaks. We used a color enhancer product provided when I bought the sink. I have used…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Honey Power

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Honey Power

    By Reena Nerbas Cleaning Spot on Leather Chair Dear Reena, I own a beautiful black leather chair that I somehow got a drop of nail polish or superglue on. I am not sure which it is. Do you have a solution in your magic bag that will work on either? – Terrie Dear Terrie, Although…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: “Green” Clean Your Drains

    By Reena Nerbas Cleaning Drains Dear Reena, I want to know the best way to clean my drains. Thanks, Donna Dear Donna, In a jar combine 2 tbsp. cream of tartar, one quarter cup baking soda and 1 tsp. salt. Drop in the drain, chase with boiling water. Repeat as necessary. Or pour half cup salt down…

  • TFSA Investing for 2015

    TFSA Investing for 2015

    By Kim Inglis As one year passes and another unfolds, it’s time to make Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) contributions. They’ve been around since 2009 and yet Canadians still largely misunderstand them. The annual BMO TFSA Report says 66 per cent claim to be knowledgeable about TFSAs, but only 22 percent correctly identified the contribution…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Angel Wings

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Angel Wings

    By Reena Nerbas Chicken Wings Dear Reena, My children love to eat chicken wings. I make them by battering them with flour and spices but, when I deep fry the wings the coating falls off, making a big mess of skinless chicken wings. What am I doing wrong? Thanks, Rorie Dear Rorie, Here is the…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Keeping Mandarin Oranges Fresh

    By Reena Nerbas Grit from Dishwasher Dear Reena, The dishes washed in my 7 year old dishwasher no longer look or feel clean. The machine seems to be working properly but the dishes end up with gritty film on the outside, I end up having to rewash the dishes by hand. Any ideas? Thanks, Seline…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Tip for Freezing Cheese

    By Reena Nerbas Discoloured Leather Furniture Dear Reena, We have two red leather chairs; the one I sit on has a whitish or a discoloration on the area where my head rests. I did try leather cleaner but it started to take the red off and left a rough spot on top of the discolored…