Category: Guest Columnists

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Sharpening the Frost Scraper

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Sharpening the Frost Scraper

    By Reena Nerbas Leftover Lemon Dear Reena, Often a recipe calls for a half teaspoon of lemon zest. The rest of the lemon goes into the garbage. If I was to zest the whole lemon and juice, can lemon zest and lemon juice be frozen? What is the best way to do that? Hi Mary,…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Rust Stains on Countertop

    By Reena Nerbas Rust Stain on Vanity Top Hello Reena, We recently had new sink faucets installed. The previous taps, unbeknownst to us, had corroded and left a very pronounced rust stain on the faux marble countertop. The new faucet base, unfortunately, doesn’t cover this mark. The light beige vanity top is 30 years old.…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Easy Apple Peeling

    By Reena Nerbas Cheesecake Hello Reena, My cheesecake filling will not stick to my homemade graham wafer crust. I do bake the cheesecake but not the crust before filling.  Any solutions? Thank you, Joyce Hi Joyce, Unfortunately you will need to start over. It sounds as though; either too many graham crumbs were added to…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Dealing With Stains Left by Coloured Wax and Paint

    By Reena Nerbas Wax Dye on Oak Desk Hello Reena, I own an oak desk, I made the mistake of placing a red candle on top without a holder and after sometime I moved it only to find that the wax of the candle left a red ring on the wood that I can’t seem…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Keeping Warm

    By Reena Nerbas Keeping a Trailer Home Warm Hi Reena, I am wondering if you have any tips on keeping a poorly insulated trailer warm throughout the winter, we are renting so we don’t want to do make any structural changes. I have heard about hanging shower curtains over the windows to try and keep…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Fruit Flies

    By Reena Nerbas Stained Hardwood Hi Reena, I forgot a squash in my closet and it left a terrible stain on my untreated hardwood floor. Do you have any suggestions to clean up the black ugly stain? Thank you, Debbie Hi Debbie, Your local hardware store likely carries floor touch-up dyes and floor fixes to…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Colourful Cupcakes

    By Reena Nerbas Flat Pop Dear Reena, I always purchase 2-L pop bottles because they tend to be cheaper than buying small bottles. I only drink a little pop every few days; is there a way to keep the fizz in pop instead of pouring flat pop down the drain? Alex Dear Alex, After opening…

  • The Impact of Investor Emotions

    The Impact of Investor Emotions

    By Kim Inglis A BMO Psychology of Investing report revealed some worrisome data on investor emotions that included; two-thirds of those polled have not been in total control of their emotions when investing and; a majority of Canadians have invested on impulse at least once. That’s bad news for portfolios because investor emotions are 180…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Homemade Cleaners

    By Reena Nerbas Crayon on Walls Dear Reena, Recently my young daughter colored a beautiful picture; the only problem was she used the wall as her canvas. Can you please give me a few tips as to how to remove crayon from walls? Thanks, Bethany Dear Bethany, Smear the area with either lemon essential oil…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Smart Autumn Decor Ideas

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Smart Autumn Decor Ideas

    [break][break][break][break][break][break][break][break][break] Smart Autumn Décor Ideas That You Will Fall For! Here’s a theme that couldn’t be simpler. You can decorate just by taking a walk in your own backyard. Create a colorful design using sunflowers, cattails, and wheat shafts. Arrange them in a big vase in the center of the dining room table. Place autumn…

  • Solutions & Substitutions Column – by Reena

    Solutions & Substitutions Column – by Reena

    [break][break][break][break][break][break][break][break][break] Dear Reena, I often see no-boil lasagna noodles on the shelf of my grocery store. What makes these noodles different than regular lasagna noodles? Which is better? Glenn Dear Glenn, No-boil lasagna noodles are precooked noodles that don’t require pre-boiling. However, instead of purchasing precooked pasta, I purchase regular lasagna noodles that are high…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Cleaning an Older Oven Without Harsh Chemicals

    By Reena Nerbas Felt Pads on Chair Feet Dear Reena, I use felt pads that stick on the bottom of wooden dining room and kitchen chairs. I have spent time cleaning the grit and glue off and using Goo Gone and sandpaper before I put a fresh felt pad on. Again they came off. I…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: New Use for Old Newspaper

    By Reena Nerbas General Purpose DeGreaser Hi Reena, Can you recommend a non-rinse, general purpose kitchen degreasing spray for the bathroom and kitchen counter tops, stove and cupboards? Thanks so much, Cindy Dear Cindy, Here is a wild homemade cleaning spray, great for counters, stoves and bathrooms. Into a 4-cup spray bottle combine: One tsp.…

  • AHS Weekly Wellness Tip: Get walking. Stay safe.

    AHS Weekly Wellness Tip: Get walking. Stay safe.

    A new school year brings opportunity for families to give up driving and begin walking to school. Walking has so many benefits—it promotes physical activity, prepares brains for learning and increases children’s familiarity with their community and neighbours. Walking with your child and negotiating neighbourhood streets with them provides an opportunity to develop traffic safety…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Readers’ Solutions

    By Reena Nerbas Readers Share Their Best Household Solutions! • To repair a plastic toy, use the flame of a candle to heat the metal end of a knife. Hold the hot knife against both pieces of the toy to melt it back together. Submitted By: Allan • Avoid pouring grease from cooking down the…