Category: Guest Columnists

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Homemade Garlic Spread

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Homemade Garlic Spread

    By Reena Nerbas Toilet Bowl Stains Dear Reena, How do I remove stains out of toilet bowls? Bells Dear Bells, Make your toilet bowl sparkle by pouring a little shampoo or dish soap onto a pumice stone and gently, rubbing the inside of the toilet bowl to remove stains. Or clean the toilet with a…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Keeping the Bathroom Clean and Organized

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Keeping the Bathroom Clean and Organized

    By Reena Nerbas Stuck Lids on Nail Polish Dear Reena, I have many bottles of nail polish that I am unable to open. I have tried running them under hot water, and using pliers, but still I’m unable to twist the top off or pry them open. It is very frustrating. Any suggestions would be…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Freezable Foods

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Freezable Foods

    By Reena Nerbas Old Christmas Cards and Magazines Dear Reena, I have hundreds of Christmas cards that I will be throwing away. Is there any organization that does anything with them? I also have several magazines that I used to donate to doctor’s offices so that people could cut out recipes. Where should I take…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Keep Potatoes from Sprouting

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Keep Potatoes from Sprouting

    By Reena Nerbas Sprouting Potatoes Dear Reena, Every time I store potatoes at my house, within days they start to grow eyes. How can I prevent this? I keep them in my pantry, in a wooden potato box that has onions on the bottom. I’ve tried keeping an apple with the potatoes, but to no…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Spring Cleaning

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Spring Cleaning

    By Reena Nerbas Grimy Shower Head Dear Reena, I recently moved into a 30-year-old apartment, and the place is filthy. What is the best way to clean a grimy shower head? Lynette Dear Lynette, Step 1: Scrub the holes with a wet kitchen scrubber. Step 2: Pour a solution of half cup white vinegar and…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Cooking Fish

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Cooking Fish

    By Reena Nerbas Cheesecake Dear Reena, I am having a dinner party, and would like to make cheesecake for dessert. Can you tell me if I can quadruple my cheesecake recipe and bake the cake in a large rectangle pan? Cherise Dear Cherise, Quadrupling the recipe is risky, chances are the cheesecake will brown on…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Furnace Filters

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Furnace Filters

    By Reena Nerbas Extra Buttons Dear Reena, Many of the jackets and suits that I buy are sold with an extra button. Apart from storing the button in the jacket pocket, do you have any suggestions as to how to organize apparel buttons without losing them? Mandy Dear Mandy, One option is to sew the…

  • 10 Tips on Beating the Winter Blues

    10 Tips on Beating the Winter Blues

    Depending on where you live—New York City versus Los Angeles—winter will either be something you dread or something that passes you by without noticing. Sometimes even people who live in the warmer states like California, experience cyclical changes that affect their moods and disposition. This can go twice for people living even farther north like…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Yellowing Lino

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Yellowing Lino

    By Reena Nerbas Thermos in the Dishwasher Dear Reena, I recently purchased a stainless-steel thermos with foil wrapped around the exterior. Although the instructions say, “dishwasher safe” the foil peeled after four washes. Now, the foil is half gone and looks unappealing (pardon the pun). Should I toss the thermos or is there a remedy…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Homemade Air Freshner Banishes Odour of Curry

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Homemade Air Freshner Banishes Odour of Curry

    By Reena Nerbas Rusty Cutlery Dear Reena, I have a lot of rust stains on my stainless-steel cutlery, is there a way of removing them? Linda Dear Linda, 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…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Tips About Cheese

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Tips About Cheese

    By Reena Nerbas Homemade Mayonnaise Dear Reena, I am looking for a recipe for homemade mayonnaise. No one I know has a good recipe for this. Kim Dear Kim, Homemade Mayonnaise: Place 3 egg yolks in a mixing bowl. Add 2 tbsp. (30 mL) white vinegar, 2 tbsp. (30 mL) water and 2 tbsp. (30…

  • Nourishment is About More Than Just Food: 5 Ways to Nourish your Health

    Nourishment is About More Than Just Food: 5 Ways to Nourish your Health

    But wait, why am I even using the word “nourishment” if I’m not talking about food? The reason I am using the word nourishment outside of its regular foodie context is because we often find ourselves so over-focused on food that we forget about all the other simple and wonderful ways to nourish ourselves. What…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Clip It!

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Clip It!

    By Reena Nerbas Rejuvenate Markers Dear Reena, Do you have any tips for how to rejuvenate Sharpie markers? Radah Dear Radah, Soak the tip of the marker in rubbing alcohol until you see the ink start to bleed out. Remove the marker from the alcohol, and let it sit for one hour with the cap…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Getting Rid of Unwanted Odors

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Getting Rid of Unwanted Odors

    By Reena Nerbas Odor in Sheets Hi Reena, Despite regularly washing my sheets, they have an odor that will not wash out. I’ve tried bleach and borax, (not at the same time), but nothing removes the smell. I can’t afford new sheets, so I’m wondering if you have a solution for me. Thanks! Duncan Dear…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Storing Christmas Decorations

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Storing Christmas Decorations

    By Reena Nerbas Glue on Glass Door of Wood Stove Dear Reena, Can you please tell me what to use to remove the glue, off the glass, that was used to adhere the seal on the wood stove glass door? Thanks, Chris Dear Chris, Apply one of the following to the glass: cooking spray, Goo…