Peeling a Ginger

I was shocked to hear and see a spoon being used to peel the skin of ginger. The first time I tried it, it was a miserable failure. But the second time, I was able to use it with ease. Try it. If it works well for you, your knives won't dull. And if you're lazy like me, you won't waste as much ginger by cutting chunks off along with the skin. Use it as though you're scooping the ginger out and bring the spoon towards you. It's surprisingly effortless. Plus, it's a great and safe way to involve children in the kitchen without any risks.

Baking Soda Expiration Date

I'm skeptical to trust shelf life guidelines, as they can be outrageously inconsistent and don't account for various factors. The general rule is that baking soda lasts for six months. If you question its freshness or it's been more than six months, you can assess its freshness by adding some vinegar to it. If the baking soda bubbles, it's still good. If it doesn't, it's past its prime. Throw it away.

Fusion Cuisine

If you can't make up your mind about what to make, consider a fusion cuisine. Rather than confining a recipe to something cohesive, try something out of the ordinary. It widens your menu selection and allows you to eat a variety of foods in one sit down without seeming cluttered and disorderly because the eclectic menu serves the right purpose and function.

Raspberries and Ricotta Cheese

For a healthy and sinfully delicious treat, indulge in a handful of fresh raspberries and a dollop of ricotta cheese sprinkled with cocoa powder.

Relaxing Colors

When you decorate your bedroom, use relaxing colors such as greens, blues, and purples. Colors such as yellows, reds, and oranges release stimulating vibrations that keep your body awake. Relaxing colors will soothe and put you in a relaxed state, promoting restful sleep.

Buy Buckets

I know it sounds like an odd suggestion, but you never know when they'll be helpful, and they're so versatile. You can use it when you mop. You can fill them up with water if you live in an apartment complex and are told that water will be shut off for a while. After you use the bathroom, fill the toilet with water to force a flush. It's great for soaking stains and handwashing lingerie. (I'm unable to wash in my bathtub because I have a bad back). The best time ever to have a bucket is when you're feeling sick or you're throwing a party. If you're sick, you should be in bed resting. But a sick person shouldn't clean vomited sheets. So a simple solution is a bucket. And we all know those fake people who think they can handle their liquor and after two beers are ready throw up their lungs. I say trust no one, and have a bucket ready.

Budget-Friendly Wedding Dresses

If your weight has a tendency to fluctuate or you want to save money on alterations, consider buying a dress with a lace-up corset in the back. It'll offer some added comfort and versatility, while providing a perfect fit.

Cloth Napkins

Consider switching to using cloth napkins. They're not reserved for fancy restaurants anymore. In fact, they're economical and environmentally-conscious. Think about the money you'd be saving. If you bleach your whites, consider buying white cloth napkins or else buy dark colored choices and wash them weekly with your regular laundering.

Wine Bottle as a Rolling Pin

If you can't rationalize buying a rolling pin, consider substituting a wine bottle as one.

No Tweezers for Insect Bites & Stings

You should never use tweezers to remove a stinger because applying pressure on the stinger can release more venom. Instead remove the stinger with scrapping your skin with a fingernail or a credit card.

Bring Your Own Supplies to the Hospital

Avoid steep hospital charges for vitamins, aspirin, lotion, telephone services, etc. by bringing your own. We can't always anticipate when we'll visit a hospital, so I highly recommend creating your own overnight stay bag with necessary supplies (shampoo, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, vitamins, eyeglasses or contacts, tampons, spare clothes for when you leave the hospital, entertaining activities, etc.) At the very least, create a list of items you would want to have at the hospital and place it in a location that's accessible to others. Have someone you trust gather items from your list and bring it to the hospital.

Monitor Hospital Activities

Hospitals are notorious for overcharging and even including duplicating additional expenses that patients aren't responsible for in a confusing format, anticipating that most patients will unquestioningly pay the bills. To prevent yourself from being a victim, create a daily inventory of all of your activities: administered medications, procedures, tests, services, food, etc. Compare your inventory to the hospital bill. Discuss any discrepancies with the billing office immediately. Having a reference will expedite any remedial alterations.

Experiment with Marinades

A great way to use up condiments is to create your own marinades. Seemingly ordinary sources can be surprisingly tasty: curry sauce, fish sauce, furikake (Japanese rice seasoning), orange juice, soy sauce (light, dark, tamari), vinegars (red and white balsamic, red wine, rice vinegar, and white wine vinegars), wasabi, Worcestershire sauce, yogurt, etc.

Milky Chicken

Soak chicken breasts in buttermilk, milk, or yogurt for three to four hours before cooking. The milk bath will provide a milky flavor but will also improve the quality of the texture, as well.

Use Your Space Resourcefully

For extra storage up, consider the ceiling. You can hang pot racks, wire baskets, and string bags to hold cookware, utensils, and produce that doesn't require refrigeration such as onions and potatoes.

Keep Your Cookbook Stain Free

Open the book to the page you need, and then cover it with a plastic bag or plastic wrap. This will preserve the quality of your cookbook and keep it sanitary.

Telephone Protectors

Keep an empty plastic bag by the phone in the kitchen. That way if you receive a phone call while you're preparing food, you can simply slip your hand in the bag and then pick up the phone to keep it clean.