Category: Guest Columnists

  • Thinking About Future Tech Forecasts, Trends and Predictions

    Thinking About Future Tech Forecasts, Trends and Predictions

    January is a great time to look back on the past 12 months; and an even better time to look ahead and think about and envision what the coming year(s) have in store.

  • 7 Solutions To Sugar Cravings

    7 Solutions To Sugar Cravings

    Hello everyone! With the holiday season upon us, we are being bombarded with sweet treats from every direction. While I wouldn’t dream of telling you never to indulge in a warm sugar cookie or a peppermint hot chocolate, balance is key to feeling good all winter long.  Here are 7 tested solutions to sugar cravings!…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Safe Use of Wood-burning Fireplace

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Safe Use of Wood-burning Fireplace

    By Reena Nerbas Removing Creases from Vinyl Tablecloth Dear Reena, I have two flannel-backed vinyl tablecloths. They were obviously wrapped in tight plastic packaging for a long time, because they have a lot of deep creases. What methods would you recommend I use to remove the creases without melting the vinyl? Thank you, Joan Dear…

  • These Foods Will Give You the Glow…

    These Foods Will Give You the Glow…

    Ever wondered which foods will give your skin that amazing glow, like you’ve spent a week detoxing on a tropical island? Sulfur-residue foods! But first, why am I talking about eating sulfur for glowing skin? Great question! Sulfur is not just the mush of yolk found in deviled eggs at your annual office Christmas party…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Noxious Weeds

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Noxious Weeds

    By Reena Nerbas Wheat-filled Heating Pad Safety Hi Reena, I own a wheat-filled heating pad which was scorched in a new microwave (obviously quicker heating time). It now smells just when sitting and more so when reheated. The fabric (material unknown) is also discolored. My questions are: If I hand-wash this small item (approx. 2″x7″…

  • Want to Know 5 Reasons (most) Diets Fail?

    Want to Know 5 Reasons (most) Diets Fail?

    Emily here to let you know that research shows that regular dieting is a waste of time and energy. Don’t believe me? Read on to find out why… Why am I dissing on dieting? According to Dr. Mark Hyman, functional medicine doctor, Director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine and New York Times…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: In the Laundry Room

    By Reena Nerbas Laundry Stain Remover Dear Reena, I need a laundry stain remover solution using vinegar, water and baking soda. Thanks, Lynne Dear Lynne, Here is a spot remover that you can use to pre-treat stains as well as several other machine washable, colorfast fabrics. Into a spray bottle combine: Two third cups ammonia…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Time Saver Lasagna

    By Reena Nerbas Black Goop on Carpet Dear Reena, We had a house built in the late 60’s, early 70’s. It has built-in fluorescent lights and one went out. I couldn’t get the bulb out, so I called an electrician. The electrician said that we needed a new ballast and then did the work. However,…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Squeaky Clean Window Cleaner Recipe

    By Reena Nerbas Bathtub Ring Dear Reena, I would love to know what to use to remove a bathtub ring. Thanks Lorraine Dear Lorraine, Clean the bathtub on a regular basis. You may need to wash out the bathtub weekly or more often, depending on how many people use it. While wearing gloves, sprinkle a…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Battling Mosquitoes

    By Reena Nerbas Stains on Fans’ Football Jersey Dear Reena, I would be forever indebted to you if you could advise on getting stains out of a green Roughrider jersey! I always wash jerseys in cold water and hang to dry. The stains are worse on the first one I bought (it has made the…

  • Women & Money

    Women & Money

    By Kim Inglis According to Fidelity Investments, women want to get more engaged with their finances within the next year.  Specifically, 92% want to learn about financial planning and 75% want to become better versed in investing.  These are encouraging numbers. Unfortunately, confidence is a leading factor holding women back from actually following through.  Fidelity…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Dusting

    By Reena Nerbas Lumpy Gravy Dear Reena, How embarrassing, I had a house full of company for supper and I thought that everything was organized and ready to go. As everyone came up to serve themselves the buffet style meal that I prepared, someone pointed out that my homemade gravy was runny. In a panic,…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Turkey Preparation Tips

    By Reena Nerbas Pot Lid On or Off? Dear Reena, Julia Child once said, “The lid should always be left “ajar” if potatoes are left in the pot after cooking”. Also, someone said that cabbage should be cooked without a lid on. Would you know why? By the way here are some of my own…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Getting Out the Smell

    By Reena Nerbas Stains on Leather Jacket Dear Reena, You helped me with a problem several years ago when my car trunk was drenched in gasoline. You told me to stuff the trunk with crumpled up newspaper which I did and the smell was gone. You also helped my daughter fix scratched C.D.’s using peanut…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Salt

    By Reena Nerbas Over Salting from Salt Shaker Dear Reena, I bought a brand new salt and pepper shaker set to place in the middle of my brand new dining room table. The set is quite nice but I find that the holes on the salt shaker were made too large. Salt pours out of…