Freezer Guidelines

Dear Home Ec 101, How long does food keep in the freezer, after the expiration date? When should it be tossed in the garbage? Thank you, Chillier in Chicago Heather says: Thank you for your cool question in these dog days of summer. It’s so hot that. . . no, I won’t go there. Your question …

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Back to the future school time

Ivy says: School starts here in Tennessee on Friday. Yeah, you read that right. 2 days from now, I’ll be shuffling kids off to school. I can’t decide between being really excited to have my house quiet all day and not have to be fielding questions all day like, “Can I play on your computer?” …

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The Sunday Confessional

Heather says: I’ll get the ball rolling.  My children may have forgotten what a green vegetable looks like.  I took them all to Myrtle Beach to spend time with my father.  It has been a whirlwind of fastfood and buffets, Krispy Kremes and ice cream.  Their hair and eyes have lost their shine, but I’ve …

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Meal Planning: A Primer (Part 3)

Dear Home Ec 101, I need to get our food budget under control. We spend a ton of money eating out. It’s starting to cause fights. I can’t cook, I can’t plan, and even if I could, I wouldn’t know where to start. Signed, Hopeless in Hopeswell Welcome to the third installment of our first …

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Inexpensive Gift Idea: The Coolest Mix CD Ever

Ivy says: Today’s my brother’s birthday- I can’t believe my LITTLE brother is 30 years old now! But that’s what happen when you get all old and stuff. 😉 Anyway, due to school being about to start and a bunch of other little things, I’m pretty broke. What’s a sister to do for a gift …

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Reader Challenge: The Brunch Edition

Heather says: Let me set the scene, Monday morning you rise with the nagging feeling that you have forgotten something or that perhaps there is something you should be doing. Rather than pay attention to the feeling you begin attacking the weekly laundry. Mid-morning your sister calls and asks what time you and the kids …

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Ask The Audience: What Foods Do You Not Like?

Ivy says: Just for fun, in the wake of yesterday’s post on picky eaters: What foods do you not like to eat? Sure, I’ll go first. I really do not dig tomatoes. I don’t like them in sauces or stewed or any other way, really. Occasionally I’ll enjoy a tomato fresh from the garden with …

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Avoid Creating Picky Eaters

Ivy says: I have been running across a phenomena so often lately, that I needed to write about it here just to get it out of my head. The only thing is, I know around here, I’m mostly preaching to the choir. Even so, I hope I catch a few people and get them to …

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Grandma’s Home Remedies: Mosquito Bites

Ivy says: My kids must be extra sweet because they are covered in mosquito bites, and I (luckily) have none. You know how kids can get when they’re itchy and uncomfortable- they whine a lot. And when they whine a lot, my patience gets thin, and then we’re in for a miserable day. On Saturday, …

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The Sunday Confessional

Heather says: I’m starting a new series here on Home-Ec 101. We all have our bad days, airhead moments, or times when we say to heck with the rules and do it our own way.   It’s time to share your household flubs and secrets.  Feel free to remain anonymous, but keep it family friendly.