Heather Solos 
Dear Home Ec 101, I thought if anyone might have the answer to my questions about how to cook with dried beans, it would be you – I need a “definitive” guide to dealing with dried beans. So far, my Internet and even cookbook searches always yield really varied results. Should I add salt? Vinegar? …
Dear Home Ec 101, Can white vinegar be used as a natural dishwasher rinse aid? It seems that I remember reading that somewhere. White vinegar seems as though it would be more environmentally friendly and less expensive than the commercial dishwasher rinse aid products. Is there any harm in using white vinegar as a rinse …
Heather says: One would think I must be a highly organized person and one would be slightly off-base. Once my short-term memory starts to go, I’m going to be in big trouble. I have a hook near a door for my car keys, this usually works. Except when I forget to hang them. My wallet? …
Heather says: What could I possibly have to announce this week? Well the shirts will be in! (I’m nervous and excited and nervous) Watch the navigation bar for a new tab labelled Shop. I kept this order very small, as I’m a little bit of a chicken. If I run out of your size, just …
Heather says: I’m out of town, getting my geek on at a the Type-A Mom Blog Conference. Patrick Stuckart, an excellent photographer and all around cool guy (don’t let him say otherwise), volunteered to write this post on his meringue making adventure. As I occasionally try to engage the brain cells I still have, I …
Dear Home Ec 101, Lately I’ve noticed a greasy ring around the top of my machine, a Whirlpool Ultimate Care II which is a top loader. I know my clothes are *clean* but the washing machine grosses me out. I have tried scrubbing with vinegar, but it came back. Onto problem #2, which is connected. …
Heather says: Some of you may have noticed that there has been a change in the formula of your Automatic Dishwashing Detergent, others may have just picked up a new box as usual, without paying much attention. Sixteen states including: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, …
Dear Home Ec 101,I really need help. I found an awesome chocolate cake recipe and can keep the cake from sticking to the pan with the parchment paper/oiled/flour method. However, once the cake is on the wire rack, that’s another story. It sinks into the wires and sticks to the rack. When I try to remove it, it rips and breaks …
Heather says: This portion of Home Ec is just a place to get it off your chest. It’s all too easy for me just to share the best parts of life, the Internet Snapshot, if you will. This is a skewed version of life and it’s not really what I want to portray, especially to …
Heather says: If you like the chore post-it note here on Home Ec 101, I have good news. I’ve added, thanks to the design talent of Janet Edens, a printable version of the weekly chore schedule. Print out the chore chart and voilà you’re set. If you’re the type that loves to cross things off, …