Dear Reena: Can you please provide me with a recipe for homemade Caesar salad dressing?
Ben
Into a bowl combine: 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp anchovy paste (optional), two Tbsp lemon juice (fresh or bottled), 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper. Add more salt to taste. Store in fridge for up to two weeks.
Dear Reena: I am tired of purchasing cheap toenail clippers that don’t work properly. Please advise me on how to properly choose a good pair of clippers.
Glenda
When it comes to nail clippers, price is a factor. Choose $10 to $20 clippers — it sounds like a lot, but chances are you will never again need to purchase them.
Whenever possible, hold clippers before buying them. The clippers should be easy to grip, preferably with dual-finger design, open and close with little effort and display the word “rustproof” on the packaging.
Some nail clippers are specifically designed for those suffering from arthritis and others for infants. Some clippers have an adjustable handle suitable for infants and adults.
Dear Reena: Is it possible to safely put a small discoloured lamp shade in the dishwasher? I like the lamp and can’t find a new shade that fits.
Kate
Care of the lampshade depends on the textile. A glass lampshade, for example, might clean well on the top rack of the dishwasher. Use vinegar instead of dishwasher detergent because the bleach in detergent can discolour the lampshade.
Most fabric lampshades can be vacuumed or cleaned using a lint roller. Use your bathtub to care for washable lampshades, so you can monitor any discolouration.
Re: Stuck Jar Lid
Karrie asked about easy ways to open a stuck jar lid. A colleague passed along this tip, which has rarely failed me. Place a wide rubber band (the kind mail carriers use or the ones that hold veggies such as asparagus in bundles) around the lid, then try to unscrew it. Works almost every time. Colette
Nose knowledge
• Whenever I have a cold, I rub the bottom of my nose with lip balm so my nose doesn’t become sore. I label that lip balm with my name and the word “sick” on it. Betsy
• My children used to waste an entire box of tissues in one day when they had a cold. Now I purchase the softest roll of toilet paper I can find, and they use one or two sheets at a time. Their noses don’t become sore from rubbing, and we aren’t wasting as much. Manfred
• I cut up an old, soft bedsheet and made it into hankies for my husband and I to use whenever we have a cold. Wash in hot water. Alex
Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca
